Julius Campbell, 'Remember The Titans' Player, Dies

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Julius Campbell, a member of the T.C. Williams championship football team portrayed in Disney's "Remember the Titans," died at age 65 on Friday, Jan. 25. He died of organ failure.

Campbell became a team leader of the football team in 1971, the year Alexandria integrated its high schools. Racial tensions ensued after the integration and decision to appoint black head coach Herman Boone over Bill Yoast. The team overcame the racial struggles through Yoast's decision to accept an assisting coaching job and the interracial friendship formed between Campbell and Gerry Bertier.

Teammates and coaches remember Campbell, a defensive lineman as a leader and one of the team's best players, The Washington Post reported. As told in "Remember the Titans," the team's trip to training camp in Gettysburg, Pa. was a key step in resolving the racial disputes. The Titans were undefeated that season and won the 1971 Virginia AAA state championship.

"Julius was very, very instrumental on that team at simply getting kids to just talk to one another, kids who never talked to kids from another race their entire lives," said Boone. "By doing so, they learned many things about each other that were not passed down to them, and for that, the world owes Julius a debt of gratitude."

Campbell graduated from T.C. Williams in 1973 and went on to Ferrum Junior College. Although he planned to transfer to a college with a major sports program, he suffered a career-ending ankle injury and came back to Alexandria. Along with caring for his father, he worked for animal control in Alexandria and Prince George's County, Md. He was often seen at the Parker-Gray stadium signing items to raise money for the T.C. Williams football team. During his recent time in the hospital, Campbell received visits at the hospital from fellow 1971 team players.

He is survived by wife Cathy Campbell, one daughter, three stepdaughters, two stepsons and five grandchildren. His service will be held Saturday, Feb. 2 beginning at 10 a.m. at Alfred Street Baptist Church, 301 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ’71 Original Titans Scholarship Fund.

Image via ACPS