“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
John Wooden
https://www.al.com/sports/2021/05/nfl-has-206-players-from-alabama-high-schools-and-colleges.html
As of May 23, 2021 the NFL has 206 players from Alabama high schools and colleges.
Connier Nordan, originally from the rural area of south Raleigh, was instrumental in Jacksonville State, University of West Alabama, and Oxford High School school’s athletic programs development as a player and liaison/staff.
Jacksonville State and University of West Alabama have the most NFL players for their divisions.
As of 2022, Oxford High has lost multiple head football coaches to college programs and large high school programs such as Jacksonville State, and current #1 Alabama ranked Auburn High School who’s coach won a state championship at Oxford High the first two years. The coach–Keith Etheredge, according to a Oxford city hall employee who knew him well, later explained the reason he left was due to long-time athletic director, and the Superintendent.
Notwithstanding, as of September 2022, Oxford High has the most active NFL players of any high school in Alabama according to Pro Football reference.
As of May 2021 Oxford High School, Austin High, and Prattville High have the most NFL players of any Alabama High Schools.
In 2017, Oxford High School and Daphne High School had the most players in the NFL than any Alabama high schools.
Also, per capita in 2017-2018, Alabama and Louisiana have the greatest number of NFL players in the nation among high schools.
Oxford High School under Keith Etheredge won the state 6A championship Dec. 06, 2019 vs. Spanish Fort, AL on the eastern shore of Baldwin County. https://highschoolfootballamerica.com/nationally-ranked-oxford-wins-alabama-6a-high-school-football-championship/
The University of West Alabama as of 2017 has the most NFL players of any NCAA Div. II school.
http://www.uwaathletics.com/news/2017/9/7/football-west-alabama-has-most-alumni-on-nfl-rosters-from-division-ii-programs.aspx
Jacksonville State University is the only school in the nation with NCAA national titles in football, men’s basketball and baseball at the Division I or Division II levels.
http://www.jsugamecocksports.com/sports/2008/8/4/GEN_0804085404.aspx
Connier played NCAA football and was offered opportunity to play in the NFL and USFL with camp invitations and participation following his sophomore year in college.
A personal letter invitation was given by Larry Csonka, Hall of Fame in both NFL and NCAA and leader of the only undefeated NFL team in history to include the Superbowl.
Connier excelled in other sports in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama to include Basketball, Baseball, Track and Field (7 events), Swimming and survival swimming, a Dodge Ball camp champion, and a tennis, billiards, and ping pong tournament champion in different school and city programs.
He was active guitar and music in school before deciding to play college football. A rare health anomaly, also seen in NFL Reggie White’s, and actor/comedian Bernie Mack’s death, ended his playing career.
Youth and High School: Attended a manifold of schools while in middle and high school. Relocated from birth state of North Carolina at age six. Ultimately would be involved in the most competitive areas and schools in sport for youth, high school, and college across the southeast which included South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and finally Alabama.
Georgia– Youth Outside linebacker (At the time Valdosta High Varsity was number one in the nation)
–Florida– most valuable offensive player at receiver in Lake City, FL,
Most valuable defensive player in Palatka, Fl while living in a low-income area
Runner-up most valuable defensive player in Orlando, FL with limited resources
South Carolina before moving to Alabama.
–South Carolina– Carolina High School and now includes Carolina Academy
Competed as a freshman and sophomore against powerhouse programs T.L. Hannah High, Gaffney, Laurens, Seneca, Easley, JL Mann, DW Daniel, and Greenville, in football, track, baseball, and basketball.
Dodge Ball Champion at Furman University summer camp for teen boys
Ping Pong Champion at Carolina High in Greenville, SC.
Regional Track qualifier for Carolina High and (only a sophomore at the time) in high and low hurdles
Also competed in high jump, shot, and discuss. Part of an undefeated basketball team.
–Alabama– Competed as a junior and senior in football against some of the best programs in Birmingham via Oxford High with Hall of Fame coach Bill Burgess, Charles Maniscalco, Dr. Richard Littleton, and coach Roland Houston.
These coaches left a great example and role to fulfill as character coaches; thus, Oxford High has employed very driven and accomplished coaches such Keith Etheredge winning the state championship in 2019 at Oxford, Hoover Alabama coach Josh Niblett who went undefeated at Oxford, Robert Herring who won three state titles at Oxford, and current and past Jacksonville State head coach John Grass and Jack Crowe, respectfully. Jack Crowe coached Bo Jackson at Auburn and hired Connier to help with the Jacksonville State Football and Athletics.
–Academically-
Completed Trigonomety in 8th grade and Algebra I in 9th at Carolina High School.
Connier finished high school at Oxford High with all “As”, classes in Algebra II, Physiology and Anatomy, Honors in Athletics with invitation to All-Star game.
At West Alabama Connier finished his first semester while in football with all As and Bs as a freshman and achieved As and Bs in his all courses with five courses and labs while attending multiple practices and meetings, and living in an athletic dorm.
College Athletics:
Connier was recruited by Ole Miss, S.E. Louisiana, The University of West Alabama, Clemson, and Jacksonville State University. After his freshman year the University of Alabama offered a walk-on tryout to earn a scholarship. S.E. Louisiana offered a full-scholarship after watching Connier play as a freshman against their best senior linebacker in a game in Louisiana. Jack Crowe was instrmental in recruiting Connier to West Alabama and coach Crowe left to be a head coach at Arkansas and also coached at Auburn, Wyoming, Clemson, North Alabama, and Baylor.
Only true college freshman to play his first year at The University of West Alabama recruited by Jack Crowe with help from Bill Burgess as offensive tight end/tackle and kickoff defense team while acting as an end or pulling-tackle to run down defensive linebackers and defensive ends. Tenacious blocker and tackler because of his agility and quickness.
While attending invitations to the NFL and USFL camps, it was discovered he had a rare inflammatory condition called Sarcoidosis and was advised by a Cardiovascular-Thoracic surgeon specialist in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to consider leaving football as a career.
Connier played against many players his freshman year who went on to play in the NFL. His first game as a freshman starter was against Jesse Baker, a second round draft pick, 6’5″, 270 defensive end. https://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2015/01/highlighted-year-jesse-baker-1982.html
Other players competed were from Troy University, Texas A & I, and SE Louisiana.
He was teammates with Stanley King, Doug Palmer, Johnny Shepherd, Charles Martin, Kenneth Oglesby, Hubert Hurst, Tony Truelove, Mitchell Price, Willie Cameron, and Curtis Coleman all whom either signed with a professional team/NFL or highly recognized players.
Professional Sports:
Invitations to the professional camps followed sophomore year. The USFL and NFL offered camp attendance with invitations. Connier attended camps after his sophomore year and one invitation was directly from Larry Csonka.
Ultimately, Tommy Nobis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Nobis, a family friend, spoke with Connier to re-think playing professional football because of the injuries in the game and Connier’s diagnosis of Sarcoidosis–predominant in Scandinavians and African Americans, a rare diagnosis found in NFL and NCAA Hall of Fame player Reggie White of the Green Bay Packers and died of complications at 39 associated with Sarcoidosis. Also,Celebrity Comedian Bernie Mack also died of complications of sarcoidosis.
All Pro Quarterback Fran Tarkenton made a statement to Connier’s family member that Connier should reconsider playing professional football as well.
An accolade by the staff under Hall of Fame coach Bill Burgess https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Burgess_(American_football), Charles Maniscalco https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/calhoun-county-sports-hall-of-fame-maniscalco-was-a-winner-at-oxford-jsu/article_f0e8d26c-8f26-11e9-8fb1-bff8b0fd3acf.html years later Charles Maniscalco stated after attending a football game:
“Nordan was the best all around athlete I’ve seen in all my years of coaching to include college.” This is a witnessed statement by a staff that won a national championship at Jacksonville State University.
http://www.jsugamecocksports.com/hof.aspx?hof=47&path=&kiosk=
*After finishing medical studies at South Alabama and the University of Mobile, Connier entered a tennis tournament with the Mobile Tennis Center to see how he would perform in a sport he did not play as a youth or teen, and only practiced in his late twenties.
He finished in 1st place in the men’s singles bracket and said the ability to anticipate and move quickly while maintaining a mental state of composure and determination are the keys to playing tennis on a high level consistently. He added the mental aspect of the game helps self-control in an individual’s life.
Jacksonville State University athletic department contracted with Connier to design and implement a Proctor/Mentor program incorporating new ideas for class retention, Proposition 48 players, tutoring, and high risk athletes. He collaborated with the Athletic Director and Provost, and upper division personnel to include Compliance officer, Academics Counselor, Dean of Student Affairs, and the Academic Center of Excellence.
He taught living skills courses via the Academic Center of Excellence and Psychology Dept. at Jacksonvill State University.
Five high risk NFL prospects were assigned to Connier while with Jacksonville State dealing with issues prominent with NFL players today. One player vetted to go high in the NFL draft worked with Connier on issues that could have prevented a career in the NFL.
Connier met nationally known John Croyle in Montgomery, Alabama, former Alabama player and founder of the Big Oak Boys Ranch. Connier feels they were destined to meet and discuss several issues.
Academically: Connier was accepted into three different graduate programs- Physical Sciences, Psychology, and Counseling. He also taught all levels of swimming and survival techniques while holding AL Marine Patrol classes for certifications. He also instructed CPR, LifeSaving, and taught a Living Skills class for transitional students.
Though Connier’s opportunity to play in the NFL was ended prematurely, he continues to move forward and develop greater insight and education to sports, especially contact sports. He feels there is much work to be done in improving sports for youth and adults.
Sarcoidosis and athletes is also a growing concern.
Connier was asked to meet with the NFL in which Connier was given an invitation for opportunity to speak at the National NFL Rookie Symposium held once a year.
https://www.nflplayerengagement.com/total-wellness/emotional-strength/articles/nfl-dwight-hollier-makes-impact-counselor/
http://www.jaguars.com/team/football-staff/marcus-pollard.html
According to Connier, most successful professionals understand and tailor their lives and organizations after sport leadership using league and player negotiation concepts of sports. Having an innate intuitive skill to help others, Connier hopes to enrich our system with the lessons he has learned and the knowledge he is gaining constantly to improve. One belief he aspires is when he says, “When you stop learning, you stop leading.”
Connier maintains Academics, Athleticism and Health Perspectives
Social Mores, Head Impact and Contact Sports
Connier Nordan 