Re “Lanier, Wilson among favorite NFLers with local start,” Jan. 8-10 edition:

I truly enjoyed the article and seeing all the great talent that got their start right here in Richmond.

Being a Maggie L. Walker Class of 1971 graduate, I was happily reminded that Anthony Leonard was listed as one who went on to the NFL, and that a family member, Corey Smith who attended John Mar- shall High School, also went on to play for Tampa Bay and the Detroit Lions.

But I was surprised that another of my family members was not listed. That is Leroy Sledge, who played for Maggie L. Walker High School. Leroy Sledge and Corey Smith are cousins and have family ties in the Newtowne community behind Maggie L. Walker High School.

Leroy Sledge was a member of the Class of 1965 and played under Coach Cannonball Cooper, wearing the “00” jersey. As Mr. Cooper said, “Leroy Sledge was an All-Metro selection and one of the best backs in Maggie Walker history.”

Leroy went to Bakersfield Junior College prior to signing with the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League from 1967 to 1969. He also played for the Edmonton Eskimos in 1970, before signing with the Houston Oilers in the NFL in 1971.

He had an auspicious start with the Oilers! Leroy was always a crowd pleaser everywhere he went, especially here in the Richmond area. I, along with everyone in the Richmond metro area, would have loved to see his name listed with the other greats.

Thanks to the Free Press for all the timely articles that seem to keep our Richmond family bonded and remembering all the talented role models that had a start right here in Richmond.

MICHAEL D. GRAY Richmond