FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH - ENDING ON A ROSEY NOTE

We're ending the month-long Inner Toob salute to Black History with a profile of a future member of the Television Crossover Hall of Fame.....

From Wikipedia:

Roosevelt Grier (born July 14, 1932) is an American actor, singer, Protestant minister, and former professional American football player. He was a notable college football player for The Pennsylvania State University who earned a retrospective place in the National Collegiate Athletic Association 100th anniversary list of 100 most influential student athletes. As a professional player, Grier was a member of the New York Giants and the original Fearsome Foursome of the Los Angeles Rams. He played in the Pro Bowl twice.

After Grier's professional sports career, he worked as a bodyguard for Robert Kennedy during the 1968 presidential campaign and was guarding the senator's wife, Ethel Kennedy, during the Robert F. Kennedy assassination. Although unable to prevent that killing, Grier took control of the gun and subdued the shooter, Sirhan Sirhan.

Grier's other activities have been colorful and varied. He hosted his own Los Angeles television show and made approximately 70 guest appearances on various shows during the 1960s and 1970s.

As a singer, Grier first released singles on the A label in 1960, and over the following twenty-five years he continued to record on various labels including Liberty, Ric, MGM, and A&M. His recording of a tribute to Robert Kennedy, "People Make the World" (written by Bobby Womack), was his only chart single, peaking at No. 128 in 1968.

Grier is known for his serious pursuit of hobbies not traditionally associated with men. He has authored several books, including "Rosey Grier's Needlepoint for Men" in 1973. Grier became an ordained Protestant minister in 1983 and travels as an inspirational speaker. He founded American Neighborhood Enterprises, a nonprofit organization that serves inner city youth. 

For more about Rosey Grier, click here.

Praise the Lord 

Co-Host

Chico and the Man
- Black Tie Blues (1977) 

Della asks Ed to be her date at a black tie charity dinner, at $100 a plate.  Football star Rosey Grier as himself, Della's date for a charity benefit dance 

The White Shadow
- If Your Number's Up, Get It Down (1980)

Reeves is asked to use his former-NBA-player connections to raise funds for a mobile care unit to treat patients with high blood pressure. As punishment for wrecking the driver's ed car, he makes the team do the collecting. However, they decide to publicize that Reeves is dead to entice celebrities to attend the benefit and contribute.

- Georgia on My Mind (1980)

Coolidge's ego grows regarding his basketball skills, ignoring academics and planning a pro career. Buchanan and Reeves warn him with Reeves arranging an introduction that teaches Coolidge a valuable lesson. 

Quincy M.E.
- Accomplice to Murder (1978) 

A teenager with a record is accused of murdering an elderly man. The teen happened to belong to a group run by Quincy's friend, former pro-football great Rosie Grier. Rosie asks Quincy not only to help clear the teen, but to help save the organization he runs, Giant Step, which helps to bring teens and the elderly together. 

The Larry Sanders Show
- I Buried Sid (1998) 

Hank blames himself for the recent suicide of Larry's cue card man, Sid, because of some hurtful things he said after a rehearsal. Larry tries to keep his relationship with guest, Laura Dern, a secret from the staff and his audience.

(Rosey comforted Hank Kingsley in his grief and then led the gathered mourners in prayer.)

And in the Tooniverse....

The Simpsons 
- Sunday, Cruddy Sunday (1999)Homer and his friends head to the Superbowl, but are forced to sneak in when they discover their tickets are counterfeit.

Homer and his friends go to the Super Bowl but,when their tickets turn out to be fake,they get thrown into jail. Fortunately they are freed by Dolly Parton and make their way to a director's box but this is owned by the 'billionaire tyrant' Rupert Murdoch,who orders the visitors' arrest. After being chased onto the pitch,Homer and his friends cause considerable confusion which ends with Homer in possession of the Vince Lombardi trophy. 
Written by don @ minifie-1

Mr. Grier is not yet on the schedule for induction but I think February of 2020 would be good.  I hope there won't be a need to get to it before then.

I hope you enjoyed all of the posts this month which celebrated Black History Month.  Because of other subjects that needed to be addressed I think I only missed two opportunities for this salute.

BCnU!