Posthumously
To evoke the name of former Union University football coach, Bobby Jelks, will bring tears to the eyes and lumps in the throat of burly, grown men, formerly known as the Union University football team.
Jelks was a native of White Bluff, Mississippi. After graduating from Lexie High School in 1934, he enrolled at Pearl River Community College and later came to Union University to complete his Baccalaureate Degree. Jelks, playing under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant for one semester, was a star on the 1936 football team which waged war against heavily favored gridiron foe, the University of Mississippi. That same year capped the season by defeating Murray State and clinching the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football championship.
Coach also led high school teams at Gleason and Lexington before being picked to lead the football charge at Grove High School in Paris, Tennessee. He also coached the first basketball team in Henry County to the state tournament in 1944-45 and won the consolation game. Coach Jelk’s 1949 football team went on to beat Memphis Central for the West Tennessee championship. According to family members, Jelks considered leaving Henry County only once for an increase in pay at other schools. When Jelks approached the school board chairman in Henry County, they agreed to match any other schools’ offer. Jelk’s salary was raised to $50.00 per month. Jelks also played professional football for the Brooklyn Tigers in 1944, for a phenomenal sum of $190 per week.
The decision to return to Paris after “a physical beating, the like of which I had never before” was a piece of cake. He compared it to the decision of resigning from Grove in 1951 to take the job of athletic director, basketball and football coach at Union University.
Union University last fielded a football team in 1953. In 2003, Union University Homecoming featured a 50-Year Reunion for the Union University football team that featured players from 1938 to 1958. The University proclaimed that day as “Robert (Bobby) and Martha Jelks Day” at Union University. Thirty-five players returned for the day to enjoy a great time of fellowship but even more to honor their beloved coach.
Jelk’s widow, Martha, still makes her home in Paris, Tennessee. They have served the Union family through their service as exemplary alumni, generous donors, and strong supporters of the Paris/Henry County Alumni Chapter. Eight of their family members are alumni of Union University.
