By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
It was a time of tears, laughs and fond memories as Del Rio paid its final respects to one of its true legends and trailblazers.
Del Rio ‘s Sidney “Sid” Blanks was laid to rest Monday at Westlawn Cemetery in the family plot, bringing to a close a life that saw the man known as “Sugarbear” rise from the dusty streets of San Felipe to the world stage of pro football.
He leaves behind tales of his athletic prowess, memories of his kind and gentle soul, and his place as a champion of civil rights that created a path that countless others have followed.
Blanks passed away at his home in Webster, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 12 at the age of 80. Despite having lived away from Del Rio for many years, his granddaughter, Riley Blanks, said Sid Blanks, who was referred to as “Big Sid” by most of the people who spoke of him at the funeral service, graveside service and celebration of his life at Sidney Blanks Park, always wanted to return to Del Rio.
“Even though ‘Big Sid’ went big places, he wanted to come back here. He wanted to be in Del Rio. And he will always be here through that park and through that estate and through the community of Del Rio and that is just special,” Riley Blanks said.
The memorial service, held at Trinity Mortuary, was a celebration of Sid Blanks’ life. Through music and stories, the man who was the first African American to earn a scholarship to play football at an integrated college in Texas, those in attendance painted a picture of a man described as a “visionary” and a “trailblazer.”
In attendance were representatives of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, formerly known as Texas A&I, where Sid played football collegiality; and a historian from the Houston Oilers, the first football team Sid played for in his seven-year professional career which took him from the AFL to the NFL to the World Football League.
Members of the audience at the funeral home were given an opportunity to speak about Sid. Their stories helped tell his life in a more colorful way than any book could.
“He’s part of us. He’s part of our youth. All of us that are still here of that age remember Sid. Every accolade that he ever ad, every success we had it too. We were with him in spirit and everywhere that we talked about him he was our Sidney. I was just so blessed that we got to be a part of this man’s life. We were all young, we all had dreams, but we knew he was going somewhere. And everywhere he went, we, our spirit, went along with him,” said one of Blanks’ former classmates from San Felipe High School.
Crystal McBrady, Blanks’ great-niece and the last Del Rio High track and field athlete to qualify for the state meet four consecutive years, spoke about her first trip to State and the advice that Blanks gave her. Blanks was a multi-time state qualifier and finished second in the state in the high jump via coin flip after he and another athlete finished tied for first.
“The first time I made it to State as a freshman I was so nervous and then after I felt so anxious because nobody understood how I felt. I was telling people, ‘I’m so nervous and so anxious because now I have to get it to State every year. What am I going to do?’ and nobody ever really understood that. And I saw Sid a couple of months after that and he said, ‘You know I heard them talking about you, that you did something really good. What was that?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I made it to State.’ And he said, ‘Shit! You’ll have to make it to State every year now!’ And he was the only person in the world who understood how I felt. That’s one of the things I think about all the time … he just understood us all and I’m so happy to be up here to represent my family and I appreciate you all so much,” McBrady said.
Some people spoke about Sid’s sense of humor, his strength, his eyelashes, which earned him the nickname “Bambi” from at least one former classmate; and the joy he brought his family.
Sid’s son Lance said it was his father’s strength that allowed him to live as long as he did. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1997, Sid continued to live a full life until the end.
“He lived probably 10 years longer than most people would have because we did not plan for this. He told me five years ago, ‘I’m gonna beat this,’” Lance said, who added that he became angry when he and his daughter Bryn were told that Sid’s days were drawing to a close.
The service at the mortuary was concluded with words from Reverend Joe Walts, who was Blanks’ childhood pastor. Walts spoke of what Blanks meant to so many, but also spoke about how his legacy was more than the records he set and the accomplishments he made. He spoke of Blanks’ faith and said his death was an opportunity for everyone to be reminded of what he meant to them now and forever.
“As long as this man is alive in your memory he is not completely gone. Hold on to that,” Walts said.
Following the graveside service, Blanks’ friends and family gathered at Sidney Blanks Park off Bridge Street for one last celebration. Lance and his daughters read from the book, “Black Man in the Huddle,” which told of the story of integration in football in Texas. Sid Blanks is featured prominently in the book, and those were the passages his family focused on.
But before they could begin reading, a deer appeared, cautiously eyeing the activities before bounding back into hiding. Its appearance brought gasps from the crowd as many said it was “Big Sid” saying hello for one last time.
“That’s ‘Sugarbear’ I guarantee it,” Lance Blanks said. “I’ve been here I don’t know how many times and I’ve never seen a deer walk through the park. And not to mention the day he gave us. He was always good at bartering and brokering for stuff.”
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
