After this meeting, Coach La Croix and Earl established a special connection. LaCroix became a role model and father figure to Earl. He taught Earl many things beyond the techniques of football---humility, grace, dependability and love for others.

Also in ninth grade, Earl met another important person in his life---Reuna Smith. She caught his eye on the first day he arrived at Moore Junior High. She would be another "guardian angel" sent into Earl's life to bless and guide him along the way. She would later become his best friend, high school sweetheart and also his wife.

With the inspirational lessons he learned from his mother, his late father and many "guardian angels" sent from above to protect and watch over him, Earl would "graduate" from Junior High school as one of the most respected leaders in school and on the football field. But a new challenge would lie ahead: life at John Tyler High School.

Earl entered high school with words of encouragement from his junior high school mentor, Lawrence La Croix, still ringing loudly in his ears: "You will make a difference---both on the field and off." But, unfortunately, it would take more than inspirational words to help Earl survive high school. Earl struggled academically and emotionally, due mainly to the fact that he deeply missed La Croix's influence and guidance in his life, since he was still coaching at the junior high school.

But Earl and many other African American students were also finding it difficult to cope with the prejudice and hatred the nation and Tyler were experiencing during that time. Many people were still angered by the desegregation of schools and the presence of the black student in "white" classrooms. This took a toll on Earl and the other teenagers.

With football season fast approaching, Earl felt distant from the sport that had directed and guided his life thus far. Reuna and his mother, Ann, noticed a change in the usually outgoing and playful young man. He was becoming more shy and reserved. Earl was a "no-show" for the first days of fall football practice, but at the urging of La Croix, he returned ready once again for competition. But, this time, he did not return to open arms. First-year head football coach Corky Nelson knew nothing of Earl Campbell and the talent he had shown to so many in his junior high school days. Unimpressed by his attitude and absence from fall workouts, Nelson moved Earl to the "B" team, under the coaching direction of George Craddock. He played Earl at middle linebacker and running back and was astounded with his athletic ability. But Earl still felt a lack of passion for the game of football. Although Earl was eventually moved to the "A" team, after an injury sidelined the first team starting middle linebacker, and was named Newcomer of the Year after playing in only five games, Earl still felt like something was missing…an absence of guidance, maybe. But once again, God stepped into Earl's life at just the right time and sent a miracle. Coach Lawrence La Croix had been hired as an assistant coach at John Tyler. To this day, Earl swears the hiring of his favorite coach and mentor was part of a divine plan. Under the resumed guidance of La Croix, Earl was named an All-American middle linebacker that year, and the John Tyler Lions finished with an impressive record of 8-2, although just out of the playoff picture.

At the beginning of his senior year, Earl, his teammates and the entire city of Tyler anxiously awaited the start of this football season. Although the team was relatively young, they had two definitive leaders in Campbell, who was forced to give up his linebacker role because he had excelled so rapidly at running back, and a player named Lynn King who would block for Earl at fullback. Third-year starter Larry Hartsfield filled the quarterback position. With Earl leading the offense and his twin brothers, Tim and Steve, guiding the defense at the outside linebacker positions, the quest for a John Tyler state championship was not only a goal of the city but also truly a Campbell family affair.

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