Timmons highlights class of eight Florence Athletic Hall of Fame inductees

FLORENCE — Lawrence Timmons probably didn’t think he would be able to accept his induction into the Florence Athletic Hall of Fame in person.

As of last weekend, Timmons, a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, thought he would be in the playoffs; something he’s gotten used to in his first two seasons.

But the Steelers missed out on the postseason, enabling Timmons and several friends and family members to attend Saturday’s ceremony.

“I wish we would have made the playoffs, but you know you can’t win them all,” Timmons said. “It’s just great to be a part of this and good to be back home.”

Not making the playoffs is one of the rare disappointments in Timmons’ career so far.

The former Wilson High School standout is coming off his first season as a starter for the Steelers. He racked up a career-best 78 tackles and seven sacks.

At age 23, Timmons is the youngest member in the five-year existence of the Hall of Fame. He also won a championship with the Steelers in 2009 at Super Bowl XLIII and was sporting the championship
ring Saturday at the ceremony.

“It’s a great honor to be alongside people that I used to look up to when I was younger, and those who played before I was even born,” said Timmons, who plans to take a few weeks off before beginning
preparation for next season.“It’s just an honor and I’m grateful for it.”

In addition to Timmons, other members of this year’s class included football/baseball player Ken Lester, Post 1 baseball coach and former minor leaguer Derek Urquhart, golfer Bert Atkinson, Paine
College president George Bradley, coach Glen Rector, softball player Kristi Anderson and pitcher Larry Alexander.

All of the members stressed the importance of family and how humbled they were to be honored by their hometown.

Alexander told the story of when his high school baseball coach made a trip to his house to ask his parents, who were sharecroppers, if Alexander could play for the varsity baseball team as an eighth
grader.

“That’s how it all started,” said Alexander, who played one season in the minors for the Mets. “I enjoyed my time at Wilson High School and ... I have enjoyed my life.

“This is one of the greatest moments of my life. I am proud to be a member of this class.”

Saturday’s ceremony also served as a homecoming for those who don’t live in Florence.

Bradley had most of his school coaches there as well as two of his college coaches at S.C. State. Former S.C. State football coach Willie Jeffries served as the master of ceremonies for the evening and
current S.C. State coach Buddy Pough, an assistant when Bradley played there, was the guest speaker.

“I grew up in a tight-knit community and a lot of these people are near and dear to my heart,” said Bradley who played on three MEAC championship teams at S.C. State.

Bradley, who has been the president of Paine College since 2008, stressed the importance of athletics and how it helped him to get to where he is at today.

“Athletics has set the foundation for a lot of the things I have accomplished,” Bradley said. “Through athletics, I have gained a lot of experience, discipline and team work that guides you toward higher
levels of honor through my life.”