Julius Whittier​

Julius Whittier was an historically significant figure as the first Black football scholarship recipient and letterman at the University of Texas (UT). In his three varsity seasons, the Longhorns won the 1970 National Championship and three Southwest Conference Championships under Hall of Fame coach Darrell Royal.​

Whittier was recruited by UT from Highlands High School where he was team captain in 1968. At UT, he earned three letters as an offensive lineman and tight end and helped the Longhorns post an overall record of 28-5 in his three seasons. He is widely recognized for paving the way for Black athletes at the University of Texas.​

Whittier graduated from UT with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a master’s degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs (encouraged by President Lyndon Baines Johnson), and a law degree. He had a distinguished career as a prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer. Whittier was inducted into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor in 2013, the San Antonio Independent School District Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018 and was recognized for his trailblazing success and contributions at UT, with a 12.5-foot bronze statue of him that stands near the north end of Darrell K. Royal Stadium.​