Park named after UGA's first black quarterback

ATLANTA — Anthony Flanagan was the University of Georgia’s first black quarterback, earning scholarships for two sports in 1974.

Flanagan was regarded by many as the most gifted athlete to ever emerge from the Atlanta school system,  gaining national attention in publications like Sports Illustrated and Jet Magazine. Tim Tucker of the AJC calls him one of the most celebrated high school athletes in Atlanta history. A student at Southwest High, he set a Georgia high school record for touchdown passes with 31 in 10 regular season games, ran for 12 touchdowns, kicked 60 extra points and two field goals.

At Southwest High, he was a three sport athlete excelling in football, basketball and baseball. He led the wolves to two state titles in basketball and one state title in football, leading an all-black squad where nearly the entire team received athletic scholarships.

Flanagan chose the University of Georgia after high school, signing on to play football and basketball.

After college, he made the roster for the San Francisco 49ers, before being released to make room for Joe Montana. When his storied athletic career ended, he moved back to Atlanta and became a coach at John F. Kennedy Middle School where he quickly became a mentor, beloved by many youth he motivated.

Flanagan was born into the tough streets of Pittsburgh. He lost both his parents at an early age. That experience made him a fierce advocate for disadvantaged youth.

Affectionately known as Coach Flan, he died on January 12, 2001 at the age of 44 from complications related to diabetes.

A week after he would have celebrated his 59^th birthday, the City of Atlanta reopened a recreation center at West Manor Park after Anthony Flanagan.

WSBTV