STARKVILLE – When you hear the names of Frank Dowsing, Jr. and Robert Bell, several terms rightfully jump to mind.
History Makers. Barrier Breakers. Legends. All of it’s true for the first black varsity football players in Mississippi State history who arrived on campus in 1969 and paved the way for so many others to follow.
What you’re likely not as keenly aware of is there was so much more to Dowsing and Bell. There are so many other words to describe the late heroes.
Humble. Determined. Loving. The list continues.
Ahead of a weekend in which Dowsing and Bell will once again be honored on the campus of Mississippi State with the wearing of special uniforms – 50 years since the icons last suited up in their own Maroon and White – it’s best to celebrate all parts of who the two men were. And who better to give a glimpse at the makeups of Dowsing and Bell than those who knew them the best?
**********
Virginia Toliver is the sister of Dowsing.
Her brother was three years younger than her, and four years behind her in school, so she didn’t get to witness too much of his playing career. She was in college when Dowsing was starring at Tupelo High School and in graduate school at Jackson State when Dowsing and Bell were blazing a trail for black athletes in Starkville.
Toliver witnessed just one of Dowsing’s games at MSU. It just happened to be the 1970 Egg Bowl when Dowsing intercepted a pass in the end zone to seal a 19-14 Bulldog win.
“At least I got to the right one,” Toliver emphatically said.
Make no mistake, though her own eyes didn’t get to watch much of her brother’s playing days, Toliver knew how much Dowsing loved football. His passion was evident through the years as he was a First-Team All-American as a senior and earned two total All-Southeastern Conference defensive back selections at MSU. He ended his career as the school’s career leader in interceptions with 10 and still remains tied for eighth all-time in picks.
Toliver believes the roots of Dowsing’s achievements were his upbringing, and all that’s happening over the coming weekend is a celebration of the drive that was instilled in her brother.
“Frank was competitive and believed in hard work,” Toliver said. “My grandparents and parents raised him like that. So, this recognition is the culmination of that hard work. When he went to…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Mississippi State…