Nollie C. “Papa” Felts

Nollie “Papa” Felts had two separate college football careers.  After starring for Southern, he became a teacher and coach at McLaurin High School, married, and had a son, Nollie Jr. Then–in his mid-20s–he was offered a scholarship to Tulane, where he could play football while attending medical school.  Despite the demands of family life, a part-time job, and med school labs which often kept him away from practice, Felts made All-American and was a team leader as Tulane contended for the national title.  Young Nollie Jr. served as the Green Wave mascot, cheering on his father from the Tulane bench.