Honey Grove, Texas -- Fay (Mule) Wilson (1901-1937) was the most famous football player from Honey Grove. After his high school career, he attended Texas A&M University and was a captain of the football team and also lettered in track. After his time in college, he played professional football for the Buffalo Rangers and then for the New York Giants, playing on the 1927 NFL Championship team. He later played for the Green Bay Packers. He returned to Texas, but died young of a heart attack in 1937 just before his 36th birthday.
Mule Wilson was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Honey Grove in the Wilson family plot. His grave was adorned with a marble football which celebrated the New York Giants 1937 World Championship. This marble football and perhaps a replacement were stolen many years ago.
Recently local Honey Grove citizens collected funds for a new football and turned to Kent Erwin of Paris Monuments to obtain it. A ceremony on Saturday, August 23 at Oakwood, attended by members of the Wilson family and local citizens, celebrated the replacement football on the grave.
Thump Witcher, Kyle Milford and members of the Wilson family spoke and then the new football was unveiled.
Mule Wilson was not only a gifted athlete but apparently also a much beloved character. Local historian Alma Braudrick wrote of him: “He was loved by everyone. My, how we adored him. We thought he could do anything -- he was our idol and sports hero. . .Mule left Honey Grove to play professional ball but he always came back to visit. This Christmas he came wearing a long black overcoat with velvet collar, grey spats, black derby hat, and a cane - he was Mr. Fashion himself. Mule was never handsome but he was simply elegant looking. He walked with a swagger and was really something.”
Honey Grove is proud to remember Mule Wilson and to have the football back at Oakwood.
