Dallas ISD football field to be renamed for student paralyzed during game
Football field renamed in honor of paralyzed player
Hillcrest High School's football field will be renamed in honor of a student who was paralyzed during a game more than 50 years ago. But John McClamrock's classmates say even all these years later, his story is still an inspiration.
DALLAS - A North Dallas football field will be named in honor of a student who was paralyzed during a game.
John McClamrock's Hillcrest High School classmates have been working for years to make it happen, and they did it just in time for their 50th reunion.
John McClamrock injury
John McClamrock
The backstory:
John McClamrock's life took an unexpected turn during his junior year at Hillcrest High.
In a football game against Spruce High School, he suffered an injury that would change the course of his life.
"I heard this incredible pop. To me it sounded like a shotgun going off," said one of his former teammates in a documentary from 23 Films. "We rolled him over, John just basically said, ‘Coach, I think I broke my neck.’"
John's story is also a story about the devotion of his mother, Ann.
She had to get up every four hours to turn him, and he could not be put in a wheelchair or his blood pressure would drop.
John died on March 18, 2008, at 51 years old.
Eight weeks later, Ann died at 89 years old.
Stadium renaming
John McClamrock
What's next:
One of John's classmates, Brian Strull, dedicated years to trying to get the Hillcrest football field dedicated in John's honor. On May 3, 2025, that dream will come true.
Franklin Field will be renamed John McClamrock Field during the class of 1975's 50th reunion.
What they're saying:
"To say his classmates have rallied around his spirit to say let's make this happen and for us to be a part of it, it all goes hand in hand," said Hillcrest High School Principal Terrence Florie.
"I am so grateful for [Dallas ISD Superintendent] Dr. Elizalde putting forth the effort for having me reapply. With the help of Hillcrest community Principal Florie trustees now it passed," said Strull.
Natalie McClamrock, John's sister-in-law, says she wishes John's brother Henry and mother were alive to see the field named in his honor.
Henry died of cancer two years ago.
"He was so proud. That class, they just do everything. They always supported John, Ann, and Henry through everything," Natalie said.
The Source: Information in this article comes from FOX 4 interviews with members of the Hillcrest High School class of 1975.