Drake announces plans to unveil Johnny Bright statue

Drake University has announced plans to unveil a statue of one of its most celebrated former football players, Johnny Bright, later this season. Brian Hardin, the director of athletics at Drake, revealed that the public ceremony for the unveiling will take place on October 16 at 11 a.m. The statue is set to be approximately six and a half feet tall and will be placed on a one-foot-tall concrete pedestal outside the southeast gate of Drake Stadium, adjacent to Forest Avenue. Bright's statue will honor his significant impact on the sport and his remarkable life.

The tragic incident that occurred during Drake's game against Oklahoma State on October 20, 1951, played a pivotal role in Bright's enduring legacy. After suffering a broken jaw from repeated strikes following a play, Bright's story gained national attention and even earned him the Pulitzer Prize. Two photographers from the Des Moines Register witnessed the event, which solidified his place in history.

Bright's extraordinary achievements continued beyond that fateful day. He earned All-American honors that same season and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Hardin expressed Drake's immense pride in helping bring this statue to the campus, stating that Bright's life story of valor, honor, persistence, and selflessness will undoubtedly inspire others. The location of the statue, along with the plaques detailing his life, will undoubtedly become a destination for visitors to the campus.