To talk about the history of Tennessee football and not mention the name Majors, is like talking about the presidency and not mentioning the name Lincoln. A Tennessee dynasty, the Majors family is truly synonymous with football excellence. The patriarch, Shirley, starred for Lynchburg High School in the 1920s before going on to a legendary thirty-two year career as high school and Sewanee football coach. According to B.H. Thompson, who coached at Lynchburg in the 1920s, “I think Shirley was a better athlete than any of his boys.” Quite a compliment when you look at the achievements of Shirley Majors’ sons. Oldest child John starred for his father at Huntland High School before becoming an All-American tailback at UT. Second son Joe set passing records at Florida State in the late 1950s. His team beat third son Bill’s UT Volunteers in a 1958 upset. Only a minor setback for Bill, who went on to become Second Team All-SEC his senior year. Daughter Shirley Ann came next, a breath of fresh air among all the boys, and a basketball player and homecoming queen to boot. Fourth son Larry opted to stay close to home and play on some of dad’s great Sewanee squads, while baby boy Bobby had a stellar career at UT, becoming All-American and going on to play for the Cleveland Browns. It all added up to very busy weekends for the “First Lady of Tennessee Football,” Elizabeth Majors, and a whole lot of family pride.
