Who was Manatee icon Eddie Shannon? Take a look at his legendary 104 years
Manatee County icon Eddie Shannon died April 3, nearly a month after celebrating his 104th birthday.
Shannon’s long life generated accolades, awards and inspired the thousands of players that he coached throughout his career. The civil rights icon and WWII veteran played a key role in Manatee County schools as he helped guide the integration process at Manatee High School.
Here’s a look at his accomplishments:
- Served in the United States Navy during World War II
- Played college football at Florida A&M for Jake Gaither from 1946-50
- Was FAMU’s first full-time paid athletic trainer, serving in the role from 1950-53
- Began his high school coaching career in Lakeland in 1954, before quickly moving back to Palmetto
- Back in Palmetto, he coached the Lincoln Memorial High School Trojans for 15 seasons, only losing two games during one seven-year stretch
- In 1969, he was moved to Manatee High School to help promote peace with integration efforts during the Civil Rights Era
- Personal trainer for tennis legend Althea Gibson
- Coached wide receiver Ray Bellamy to the University of Miami as the first Black football player for the Hurricanes
- Coached three-time Super Bowl winner Henry Lawrence
- Spent 34 years between Lincoln Memorial and Manatee High School
- Inducted into the Florida High School Athletic Association and FAMU Hall of Fame in 2012
- Manatee County Distinguished Citizen in 2004
- Honored with a plaque commemorating his WWII service when he turned 100 years old by former President Joe Biden
- Torch-bearer during the 1996 Summer Olympics, carrying the torch through Palmetto
- Palmetto Youth Center was renamed the Eddie Shannon Youth Center in 2001
- In 2004, he earned a key to the City of Palmetto
- Manatee County Hometown Hero in 2009
- FAMU Omega Phi Psi Alumnus of the Year eight times
- Key figure in the award-winning 2010 documentary “Through the Tunnel”
Jason Dill
Bradenton Herald