HOUSE RESOLUTION 9

(By Delegates  Staggers, Sponaugle, Angelucci, S. Brown, Diserio, Barrett, Caputo, Miley, Campbell, Fleischauer, Rodighiero, Atkinson, Bates, Boggs, N. Brown, Canestraro, Fluharty, Hartman, Lavender-Bowe, Lovejoy, Swartzmiller, C. Thompson and Wilson)

[Introduced January 28, 2019]

 

Recognizing and honoring the achievements of professional football player and coach, Lonnie Warwick.

Whereas, Lonnie Preston Warwick, born on February 26, 1942, is a native of Fayette County, West Virginia; and

Whereas, Lonnie Warwick grew up in Mount Hope, West Virginia, and attended Mount Hope High School where he was named all-state player in both football and basketball, and during which he participated in the 1959 state high school football championship game, and from which he graduated in 1960; and

Whereas, He subsequently attended the University of Tennessee and then Tennessee Technological University, where he also played football and was later named to that school’s Sports Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, After he signed with the Minnesota Vikings football team in 1964, Lonnie Warwick advanced to become the starting middle linebacker for the team and was a core member of the legendary “Purple People Eaters” Vikings defense of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and he was starting linebacker for the team in Super Bowl IV; and

Whereas, Lonnie Warwick also played professional football with the Atlanta Falcons in 1973 and 1974, and with the San Antonio Wings of the World Football League in 1975, and later became a coach with the Washington Redskins for several years; and

Whereas, Lonnie Warwick played 92 games in the National Football League, of which he was the starting player for 84 games; lead the Minnesota Vikings in tackles for four years; had 12 career interceptions, and scored a defensive touchdown after a blocked punt; and

Whereas, Lonnie Warwick has been inducted into the West Virginia North-South Football Hall of Fame, and now enjoys retirement in Mount Hope, but he continues to participate in football as a coach and keen observer of young players at local school football games; and

Whereas, It is fitting that the House of Delegates recognize West Virginia native, Lonnie Warwick, for his outstanding achievements as a football player and coach and for his continued contribution to sporting life in West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

That the House of Delegates hereby recognizes and honors the achievements of professional football player and coach, Lonnie Warwick; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Lonnie Warwick.