Carlton Chester 'Cookie' Gilchrist (May 25, 1935 – January 10, 2011), The Greatest all-around Football Player Ever!
Born in the Pittsburgh area of Brackenridge, PA. Cookie Gilchrist was a superstar on both offense and defense. Playing fullback, linebacker, corner and kicker during his legendary football career.
Before there was a "Cassius Clay" fighting for the rights of Blackmen there was Cookie Gilchrist who in the year after I was born (1965) organized a boycott of the AFL All-Star game after New Orleans bars, taxi cabs and hotels would not serve the black players. The boycott forced the league to move the game to Houston. New Orleans looking to obtain a NFL franchise was forced to de-segregate after the AFL pulled the game out of their city.
I had the pleasure of meeting Elder Gilchrist a few months ago and spent time sitting with him listening to incredible stories from his life and superstar football career. He was a proud and spiritual man, still unbroken, strong willed and stubborn! He wanted to tell his story and control his legacy, but in the end God is the best know-er.
If Heaven has a football team "Lookie Lookie Here Comes Cookie".
Rest well Elder Gilchrist, I wish that I had more time with you. - Paradise Gray