Sam McDowell

Sam McDowell was a mighty man. He was a good friend and a gentle soul, when not on the football field. Sam was the first over 300 pound tackle in the NFL. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs after graduating from South-West Missouri State College. He played for several years until his knee was broken on the field. He ended up working at Litton Advanced Circuitry Division here in Springfield. Sam was well known and well liked around here. I always thought it was a sad thing to have to come down from a promising football career, but Sam was such an easy going and nice guy he never seemed down about his fate. Sam loved fishing and I would see his boat attached to his car and ready to go to the lake after work during the summer. Everyone liked Sam and respected him tremendously. He was a mountain of a man. When he died, hundreds of people from work went to his funeral. The factory was nearly shut down and even though many risked their jobs, they went to send off Sam to a better place. I can still see him there in the factory and I think of him often. God bless you Sam!