Tony C. Nathan Day

Proclamation

By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, the legendary Tony C. Nathan was born in Birmingham, Alabama on December 14, 1956. Mr. Nathan had a stellar prep career at Woodlawn High School where he played before the largest crowd to ever witness a high school game in Alabama (42,000 at Legion Field, 1974).

WHEREAS, Mr. Nathan went on to excel at the University of Alabama. He earned second team All-SEC in 1977 & 1978. He was also one of the team captains on the 1978 national championship team; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Nathan then went on to play professionally for the Miami Dolphins for nine seasons. He is fourth on the Dolphins all-time rushing list. He is the second leading receiver in Miami history, third on the all-time combined rushing-receiving yardage list and second on the all-time all- purpose yardage chart. In 1985, he became the first Dolphin ever to lead the team in receiving and rushing in the same season; and

WHEREAS, furthermore, Mr. Nathan held several coaching positions including: an assistant coach for the Dolphins from 1985-95, the Running Back Coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996-2001 under Coach Tony Dungy, the Running Back Coach at Florida International University from 2003-2005, the Running Back Coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 2006 and the Running Back Coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2008; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his athletic contributions on the field, Mr. Nathan was inducted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame in 2006 with Curtis Martin, Dan Marino and Michael Strahan; and

WHEREAS, in 2015, his story found its way into the book and movie, Woodlawn, a dramatic, powerful and true story of redemption and reconciliation that occurred in the middle of what many say was the most racially charged and volatile era of Birmingham, Alabama’s history; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Nathan serves as an advocate for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, and often supports his community and state through philanthropic efforts. He awarded Woodlawn High School with his NFL Gold Football, artifacts and the NFL Character Curriculum to make future athletes citizens of integrity; and

WHEREAS, it is with the utmost honor that Mr. Nathan is recognized for his exceptional athletic abilities, his character and leadership, and for truly representing the great State of Alabama on and off the field:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim November 8, 2016, as

Tony C. Nathan Day

in the State of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 1st day of November 2016.

Robert Bentley

Governor