Former Don donates helmet to local restaurant

Dr. James Hunt was a member of the first Doniphan Dons football team when he was a freshman in high school.

Hunt wasn’t the biggest or the strongest or the fastest but he found a niche in football, a sport he loved from hearing stories of his father who was a running back at Springfield Catholic in the 1940s. Hunt’s father was also a member of a perfect season during his senior in 1945.

“I had tried to play baseball and wasn’t good enough. My freshman year, they offered the football program. I thought I’m going to try this one and that one clicked.”

Hunt played offensive tackle for the Dons as they went 7-3 during his senior year in 1974.

In Hunt’s entryway of his home, he has what he calls a “Family Football Wall of Honor” which is dedicated to the sport he and his family loves, but one piece of his uniform will now have a new home for the time being.

Hunt’s helmet is now displayed at Joyful Beans/Lemonade House Grille in Doniphan.

“I had it for 40 years,” he said. “It sat in my house … My family saw it all the time but they got to the point where they didn’t even look at it. I’m sure I did when I walked in but when I found out that Beth would love to have it and now the public can see it, I said yeah. That’s the main reason. I wanted to share it with everybody.”

When he looks back on his time as a Don, Hunt said he remembers several things but one stands out.

“Sure, I remember big wins and I remember some losses but it was the locker room,” he said. “It was the special bond you share with your teammates. You are a group of kids going out each week in competition and you form a bond with those kids. I still talk to players from that time.”

Hunt said when discussions of the program reemerged a few years ago, he was optimistic.

“I was really excited because I played a very small part of bringing it back,” he said. “There’s a lot of individuals who became Doniphan for Football. Gary Pennington was a major factor and in fact, he kept football alive

“My first thought was actually a long process to get there, several years. We started in 2010.”

While this season didn’t go as planned with low numbers leading to a canceled season, Hunt said he still thinks football is a viable option for Doniphan especially given the facilities the community was able to raise money for and give back to the school.

“What kids get out of football is that sometimes it’s tough but if you work together, you can overcome odds that may seem like you can’t but you can and you can accomplish a lot if you work together,” he said. “You learn how to problem solve, how to work together, you learn some discipline and you learn some great highs when it comes to doing stuff that you didn’t think you were capable of doing.”

“I want this helmet to be a cherished display that will bring back memories for the visitors to the Joyful Beans and the Lemonade House and Grille.

Joyful Beans Coffee Shoppe and LHG are honored that Dr. Hunt has chosen us to display this important part of history! “Our customers enjoy reading about his “Double D” helmet and his role in the Dons success in the 1970s,” said Beth McComb, owner of the restaurant.

“I wanted to create a heartfelt tribute to my helmet and the memories it represents. I want to honor not my personal experiences but to capture the essence of what Friday night football means to my hometown of Doniphan.

“Friday night football was more than just a game; it was a ritual, a shared experience that bound our community together. It brought people from all walks of life together, from the mayor and the school principal to the local businesses and the students. For those few hours under the Friday night lights, we were all united in our support for our team, our shared pride in our town, and our collective belief in the power of our community. It was in those moments of shared joy and triumph that we truly felt the heart of our town beat.

“The stands were a sea of vibrant black and gold colors, the faces of our families, friends, and neighbors illuminated by the glow of the Friday night lights. In that moment, we were not just a group of individuals; we were a team, a symbol of unity and pride for our town. The roar of the crowd was not just a sound; it was an affirmation, a validation of our efforts, a reminder that we were part of something much larger than ourselves.

“In the aftermath of each game, regardless of the outcome, our community would emerge stronger, more united, and more resilient. The shared experience of cheering on our Dons, of celebrating our victories and commiserating over our losses, forged bonds between us that transcended our everyday differences. We learned to support each other, to celebrate each other’s successes, and to lift each other up in times of defeat.

“This is what I see when I look at this scratched and dented old helmet. It was the feel of the weight...heavy with the collective hopes and dreams of our community worn proudly each Friday night.”