Posted by Will R. Billon on September 19, 2002:

I first met jack green when I arrived at Tulane in 1954. I was captain of Jesuit High School's state champion football team and decided to accept a football scholarship to Tulane. Jack had just taken the job as line coach under head coach Andy Pilney, a former Notre Dame great. At 18 years of age, I was not astute enough to realize that Tulane was demphazing football and it no longer was the team to be reckoned with in the Southeastern Conference.I bounced around at center and guard on the freshman team and prior to spring practice I asked jack one day coming out of the stadium, what position was I going to play the following year.We were short of returning ends and he said,"how would you like to play end"? I said that I would certainly give it a try since at 6'2"and 200 I looked more like and end more than a guard.The following season we were doing fairly well I was starting at end. WE were to play Auburn next and they were ranked # 1 in the country and stacked with all americans. Our head coach said at a meeting before the game that this is the only team that will probably outclass you all season! Being not too long out of high school, I was shocked, since all the coaches that I had known would never have said such a thing.I'm sure jack Green quietly dissaggreed since he would never play a game he didn't think he could win. We received the kickoff and marched right down the field and stalled on Auburn's 20. Field goal kickers were rare in the mid fifties and we tried a fourth down desperation pass that I caught for a touchdown. This shocked Auburn so much and along with some great efforts by my teammates we were able to win the game.It was the only game that Auburn lost that year. After the game Jack Green came up to me and said,"you played a great game,I wish I had eleven more like you". This meant a lot to me and I've never forgotten it. He made a football player out of me, and furthermore his leadership both on and off the field was exemplary.I'd have to say that he is the finest man that I have ever met or been associated with. Besides being a great football player he was a gentleman.He was small in statue but had the heart of a lion. The military academy should be very proud to have produced a man of such integrity and honesty. I will never forget him. If his wife jeanne and their children read this,I give them my regards.

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