Cardinal Hall of Honor
The first All-American athlete in Lamar University’s distinguished athletic history was Sam Salim, who earned the honor in 1949 as a two-way performer in football.
Salim was a 60-minute player for the great 1949 Lamar team as the inside guard offensively in the single-wing formation and as a tackle on defense. He was named to the Junior College All-American team after helping the Cardinals to a 10-2 record.
A rugged athlete, Salim also made the All-Southwestern Junior College Conference team in 1949. An outstanding offensive lineman because of his pulling and trapping ability, Salim lettered in 1948 as a freshman. “I remember Sam Salim as a fierce football player,” recalled then line coach J.B. Higgins. “He played almost every minute of each game and played hard each play. He was the type of player who could play in any era.”
