UT, 49ers star Freddie Solomon honored at tribute

All night long, the stories flowed about Freddie Solomon. They marveled at his speed and game-breaking ability, both as a college quarterback and an NFL wide receiver. They spoke about his friendship, his knack for building long-lasting relationships.

They reflected on his charity, the thousands of children he has helped, rather anonymously, while expecting nothing in return. They talked about his smile, his laughter, his love of life.

Finally, it was Solomon's turn.

And when he took the podium at Falk Theatre on Wednesday night, speaking slowly and clearly, he delivered the greatest story of all.

It's the one where he beats cancer.

"I have to fight this with everything I've got,'' said Solomon, 58. "I'm going to take this challenge. You have given me the courage to fight.''

Solomon, the University of Tampa football legend, two-time Super Bowl winner with the San Francisco 49ers and tireless champion of community causes, was diagnosed last May with colon cancer and cancerous lesions that spread to his liver. He underwent successful reconstruction of his colon and is nearing the end of his 12-round chemotherapy treatment.

It's still a fight.

But he's not alone.

That was typified by Wednesday night's "Freddie and Friends'' affair, attended by 500 people and sponsored by the DeBartolo family, UT and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. More than $200,000 was raised to help fund the endowment of a UT scholarship in Solomon's name.

"I didn't seek this,'' said Solomon, as his wife, Dee, stood nearby. "But I am grateful and I will cherish this night the rest of my life. All I know is to work hard, do your job and be a good teammate.''

Or as he put it later: "As I kneeled before the throne of Solomon, the King of Kings said unto me, 'There is more work to be done.'"

Eddie DeBartolo Jr., former owner of the 49ers and one of Solomon's closest friends, said the fight has been inspirational.

"You're going to be just fine, Freddie,'' DeBartolo said. "I can't tell you what you mean to me. It's your fight, your spirit. You're getting repaid for everything you've done.''

DeBartolo said Wednesday night's event, which featured the NFL Films premiere of "The Legend of Freddie Solomon,'' wasn't a memorial.

"It's a testimonial,'' he said.

And the tributes came from people throughout Solomon's life.

Three of Solomon's former 49ers teammates – Dwight Clark, Eric Wright and Fred Dean – were on hand. San Francisco icons Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Ronnie Lott gave video tributes.

"When I came (to the 49ers), it didn't take me long to realize I was in way over my head,'' Clark said. "Freddie tried to help. A lot of times, the veterans want to get out of there. He stayed after practice and taught me things. That's how he is with everybody.''

"Freddie taught me how to be a professional,'' said Rice, the NFL's all-time leading receiver.

Wednesday night was the 37-year anniversary of UT's last football game – the sport was dropped by the school several months later – but former Spartans tight end Vin Hoover said Solomon's legacy has lived on.

Solomon's UT football exploits speak for themselves. "Fabulous Freddie,'' as he was known in Tampa, accounted for 5,803 yards of total offense (then 16th all-time in the NCAA), while rushing for 3,299 (then first among all-time college quarterbacks). Playing for a 6-5 small-school team, he still finished 12th in the 1974 Heisman Trophy voting.

But Hoover said football is only part of Solomon's appeal.

"I think this night will give him strength; it's going to uplift him,'' Hoover said. "It's a great night for this community to pay back somebody who has never asked for anything. He just wants to walk softly through this community and be a teacher. That's what I respect about him the most.''

Also on hand was Steve Satterfield, the Sumter (S.C.) High School head football coach when Solomon was a senior in 1970. It was the first year of integration and Satterfield already had a quarterback returning from his state championship team.

The offense went nowhere in two series. Solomon asked for a chance.

"He runs for five touchdowns,'' Satterfield said. "They almost didn't even touch him. My assistant coach looks at me and says, 'Looks like we have a new quarterback.'

"The first time I saw him, I had a watch timing him. I didn't know who he was. Freddie ran a 4.3 in the 40. I had never seen a 4.3 in my life. I really felt like something was wrong with my watch and I asked them to get me another one. Well, then Freddie ran a sub-4.3. Evidently, he felt I didn't believe what he did. He didn't even look like he was running. He was so smooth. I had never seen anything like that before. He was awesome.''

But in Tampa, since his retirement following the 1985 NFL football season, "awesome'' also describes the work Solomon has done with children. Some needed encouragement. Some needed a mentor. Some just needed a friend.

"Whenever I came in this area, everybody talked about this guy, Fast Freddie Solomon,'' said former Detroit Lions coach Wayne Fontes, once an assistant with the Bucs. "When I met him, I found out he was a wonderful human being. If you don't love Freddie Solomon, you don't love America and apple pie.

"That why all these people are here. It's a tribute to him. If somebody else had the same thing going on, 10 people would show up. But this guy is an icon.''

UT president Ronald Vaughn said it was thrilling to recognize Solomon – and other former Spartan football players in the crowd – for their on-field excellence.

"But Freddie's great achievement has been what he has done for youth,'' Vaughn said. "This legacy is something that will endure. I can't think of another person who is so revered in this community. We thank you for being the talented person you are, but also the caring person.

"We thank you for being fabulous.''