Earl Campbell to Make Big Announcement At Next Week’s Kickoff Luncheon in Tyler

The high school football season is almost upon us, and with that, the annual East Texas Kick-Off Luncheon is set for Aug. 29 at UT Tyler's Herrington Patriot Center.

The event, hosted by SPORTyler and the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, is slated for 11:30 a.m. and will serve as the platform for a major announcement by Pro Football Hall of Famer and Tyler native Earl Campbell.

Other guest speakers include former NFL player and John Tyler alum Gary Baxter and ex-University of Texas football coach Fred Akers.

Baxter, was a star cornerback at Baylor before enjoying an eight-year career in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. He currently works as a commercial and real estate investor and is the princiapl of Gary Baxter Enterprises.

Akers, who coached at Wyoming and Purdue in addition to his tenure at Texas, coached the Heisman Trophy-winning running back Campbell.

A total of 41 area high school, junior college and college coaches have been invited to attend and bring a student-athlete eligible for a $250 scholarship.