H-F to honor its own pair of McLegends

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When 1986 Homewood-Flossmoor High School graduate Nolan Harrison returned to his alma mater this week for the first time in 20 years, he marveled at the improved weight room facilities and new turf on the football field.

“Wow, look at that football field!” Harrison exclaimed. “The weight room used to be upstairs, and now it’s downstairs.”

On Saturday, at the McLegends VIII basketball game in Flossmoor, Harrison and 1971 Vikings alum Wes Hamilton, two individuals who survived the rigors of the NFL, will have their H-F jerseys retired during a special halftime ceremony.

Harrison, 40, who starred at defensive end at Indiana University and was a sixth-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Raiders, spent 10 years in the NFL, including six with the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, three with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one with the Washington Redskins.

Hamilton, 55, who became a pro prospect at Tulsa University and a third-round Minnesota Vikings draft pick in 1976, played right guard for nine seasons with the Vikings. He was a starter in their Super Bowl XI loss to the Raiders.

Both Harrison and Hamilton are deeply touched by Saturday’s honor.

“I am humbled by the recognition given to Nolan and me by the people at H-F,” said Hamilton, who has lived in Minnesota the past 33 years. “This is something I certainly never expected and I consider it a great honor.”

“When you work hard at something for so long and you try to be the best you can be every single day, it is humbling to have others appreciate and honor your effort and hard work,” Harrison said. “I am blessed.”

Hamilton’s football saga had a modest beginning.

“I didn’t start playing football at H-F until my junior year, and only then because coach (Bob) Lombardi was very persistent in getting me to come out for the team,” he said. “I’m forever grateful to coach Lombardi. He taught me the value of hard work and sacrifice, and how a team of like-minded people can come together.

“My fondest memories are of all the characters we had the team and the wonderful bonds that come from being involved in team sports.”

Hamilton, who’s married to his high school sweetheart, Linda (Vik), blossomed as a big-time player at Tulsa.

“NFL scouts would come around and evaluate the players,” said Hamilton, who owns a printing company. “When they offered suggestions, I took them to heart and worked at getting better.”

At Indiana, Harrison wooed pro scouts with his athleticism.

“I was a late bloomer,” he said. “They liked my speed, height (6-foot-5), intelligence and how I responded to adversity. At H-F, my heaviest weight was 190 pounds. Back then I was wrestling against guys who outweighed me by 100 pounds, I learned how not to be intimidated and use my skills. Later, my body caught up with me (he weighed 290 when he played in the NFL).”

Hamilton’s arrival with the VIkings was perfect timing.

“It was a blessing,” Hamilton said. “Playing in Super Bowl XI was a big highlight. The whole week was memorable. I had the opportunity to play on some truly great Viking teams, with some of the greatest players (Hall of Famers Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page, Ron Yary, Paul Krause and coach Bud Grant) who have ever played the game. Coach Grant was a terrific motivator.”

The Hamilton football tradition continued when oldest son, Ben, played college ball at the University of Minnesota and is now in his ninth season with the Denver Broncos. Two other Hamilton children, Matt and Amy, have families and live in the Minneapolis area. “Linda and I have five grandchildren,” Wes said with a big smile.

Harrison smiles when he remembers his days with the Raiders.

“I had so many great teammates,” Harrison said. “Howie Long, Ronnie Lott, Tim Brown, Roger Craig, Bob Golic, Willie Gault, Chester McGlockton, 'Rocket’ Ismail, Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders. Those guys were great players.”

Harrison, who was a vice president of the NFL Players Association Executive Committee from 2000-02, recently accepted a job as vice president and trust officer for First Midwest Bank in Aurora.

“I am relocating my wife and two daughters to the Chicago area so that they can grow up with the same values and work ethic I grew up with,” Harrison said.

On Saturday, Harrison and Hamilton will be back at H-F where it all started.

Alan Macey can be reached at amacey@southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8834.