Sports Illustrated's 'Toughest Chicano' honored by El Sausal Middle School

Friends of Joe Kapp remember him as the boy who used lettuce heads from a nearby field as footballs and tossed them on the playground in the late 1940s.

That is, before he went off to play for the University of California, Berkeley, the Canadian Foot League, and the NFL.

He was known for his aggressive plays and touch down streaks as a quarterback. Kapp played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1967 to 1970. He was then picked up by the Boston Patriots, and served  head coach for the Golden Bears from 1982 to 1986.

Kapp is the only player to have played in the Canadian Grey Cup, Super Bowl and the Rose Bowl. 

The 84-year-old man has long since stopped playing and coaching on the field. But his football days and memories of his Salinas upbringing are from from being behind him.

To keep his name, achievements, and legacy in the history books, El Sausal Middle School named its athletic field after the football icon.

"I'm very fond of the field because it is here that I witnessed students from my community, East Salinas, flourish into confident adolescents," El Sausal teacher Miguel Rodriguez said. "It is in this field where many students have found that inner fire that helps them toughen into dedicated athletes."

A large yellow banner was unveiled during a ceremony at the school this week, which featured an old picture of Kapp in his football helmet. The banner also had the words "The Toughest Chicano," a title he earned from Sports Illustrated. 

Kapp sat front row surrounded by his family as he watched the sign being revealed. A speechless Kapp removed his cowboy hat from his head. 

Tears welled in his eyes. 

Crowds cheered and clapped loudly behind him. El Sausal students, local officials and dozens of attendees from near and far all came to witness the moment. 

Bill Freeman, a Salinas resident and long time fan of Kapp, waited in to line to meet the legend. He held a hat that he made just for him. 

"Joe Kapp epitomizes our town and that you never give up. No matter how many times you get knocked down, you get back up and try your hardest," Freeman said. "We have to remember him in our town and that we get successful by working hard."

At the ceremony, Kapp was reunited with his childhood friend and classmate Everett Alvarez, and their 7th grade teacher, Palmina Brunelli.

"He had dreams. He was going to do things," Brunelli said. "I was so proud of Joe and so happy that finally the school board recognized him, and his name is on the field for the students. That probably means a great deal to them."

Now that Kapp's name will be carried on for generations in the school and the community he was raised in, his son, JJ Kapp, announced the family will soon establish a scholarship to help local students as they head to college. 

"To the students I want to say, the more you learn about my father, the prouder you will be to have his name on your athletic field." JJ Kapp said.