James Harrel "Speedy" Speer (March 5, 1895 – September 2, 1976)[1][2] was a college football player for theFurman Paladins ofFurman University and a high school football coach. He was elected to the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1974,[3][4] and the Furman Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981.[5]
Citizens ofGreenville raised the money for his college tuition, making him the first player ever recruited toFurman University.[6] Speer also playedbasketball,baseball, andtrack. He wascaptain of the football team for two years, the basketball team two years, and the baseball team one year.[3] Contemporary opinion held Speer as the greatest athlete in school history.[7]
Before the season, he and coach Laval spent time at theUniversity of Illinois learning strategy.[9] From the halfback position, he helped lead the1920 team to a 9–1 record, outscoring opponents 286–16[10] and losing only to SIAA championGeorgia. Teammates included quarterbackMilton McManaway and lineman Manning Jeter.
Speer coached atGreenville High School for 21 years, taking his team all the way to the state final in 1938 and 1944.[3] In 1942 his South Carolina team won the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.[11]
