Early Years

It was also in ninth grade that Earl met another important person in his life, Reuna Smith. She caught his eye immediately and over the next several years she would become his best friend, high school sweetheart and also his wife. Earl knew right away that she was another guardian angel sent into Earl’s life to bless and guide him along the way.
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.

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. Earl was eventually moved to the “A” team after an injury sidelined the team’s starting middle linebacker, and was named Newcomer of the Year after playing in only five games. But Earl still felt like something was missing. Then, 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 Coach Royal’s insistence, Dabbs spent 17 consecutive days at the Tyler Ramada Inn so he could focus his recruiting efforts on the most dominant running back in Texas, Earl Campbell. Dabbs practically lived with the Campbell family during this time, learning more about Earl’s personality, his family values, his work ethic and the many guardian angels that had become a part of his life, including Reuna, his mother and Coach La Croix and his wife Ann. But the day came when Coach Royal himself visited the Campbell home. Following on the heels of Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer’s home visit, in which Earl committed to a campus visit in Norman, Royal found himself very nervous about the meeting. Ann Campbell was also anxious about having such a well-known coach in her modest home. Due to the stress, she fell ill on the day of Royal’s arrival. Always cordial and courteous, however, Ann found the strength to welcome Royal in her home. She apologized for the appearance of her home. Putting her fears at ease, Royal told her a story about his childhood in rural Oklahoma where he grew up extremely poor. He also promised Ann that he would ensure the safety and well-being of her son while he was away at college. This, he promised, would be an excellent opportunity for Earl to not only succeed at football but would also give him a chance to walk away with a college degree from the University of Texas.

But on the eve of national signing day, Earl was still confused about his decision. So he decided to do what he had been taught by his parents to do when he had a problem. He prayed, “God, if it’s your will that I should attend the University of Texas, then I’ll get up during the night to pee. If not, if I sleep through the night, then I’ll know your choice for me will be the University of Oklahoma.” Who would have ever imagined that the University of Texas would receive one of its finest recruits because of a little prayer and Earl’s bladder? Years later, when Barry Switzer heard how Earl made his final decision, he said, “If I’d of known that, I’d of flown to Tyler and laid underneath his bed all night!”

With that decision made, Earl now had to face the difficult task of saying goodbye to so many people who had always believed in him: his mother, his siblings, all of his coaches, including Coach La Croix, and of course, Reuna. But he would never forget the city that had accepted and supported him, despite the color of his skin and the amount of money he had in his pockets.

It was now time to move on to a new challenge. God had directed him this far, and Earl and his mother had faith He would continue to watch over him. But just in case, Ann issued a firm request to the man who she had established such a quick connection with, Ken Dabbs.