Juneteenth Spirit Of Hope Alive And Well

Like many citizens and public and private entities across the United States, we here at the Rookie League Foundation pause today to celebrate Juneteenth. This celebration has roots dating back to June 19, 1865. On that monumental date, federal troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and announced that more than 250,000 slaves in the state were free by executive decree. Texas was the last outpost for enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation, which was signed on January 1, 1863. 

Celebrated for decades within the African American community, Juneteenth has evolved over the years to attain the level of respect and attention that it deserves. The Rookie League Foundation was honored to host an early Juneteenth Celebration at Douglass High School on June 14 with three prominent African Americans on hand to share a message of perseverance, hope and promise. 

Attending the celebration were the honorable J.C. Watts and two of college softball’s brightest young stars; Oklahoma State’s Tallen Edwards and Oklahoma’s Ella Parker. 

Watts has been in the public eye since taking over as starting quarterback at the University of Oklahoma in 1978. He led the Sooners to a 32-4 record and three straight Orange Bowl wins as a starter. Since then, Watts has served as one of the state’s most prominent leaders in roles too numerous to list, including four terms as a United States Congressman. 

Watts says that Juneteenth is important for all Americans and that he is excited to see Edwards and Parker step up as role models for the next generation. 

 “Some say Juneteenth is not needed or unimportant but on Juneteenth we celebrate not only black history but American history as well,” Watts said.

“I appreciate what the foundation is doing to highlight Ella’s and Tallen’s contributions to their sport and community. I think it is important that we talk about good citizenship and good sportsmanship; Ella and Tallen are great examples of that,” Watts concluded.

With a shared vision of inspiring younger the generation of softball players of color, Edwards and Parker both know that they have a tremendous platform from which to spread their inspiring message. It is evident that both of these young ladies are destined to be leaders on and off the field of play for many years to come. We here at the foundation look forward to seeing what tremendous heights they reach. 

Ella Parker and Tallen Edwards share their thoughts on the importance of Juneteenth and the need to create softball and baseball opportunities for underserved youth groups.