Gerry Bertier

Gerry Bertier from the Gerry Bertier Foundation

My definition of a hero is somone who has made a difference in society - a good and incredible difference. Somone who has brought people together is a hero. Someone who will stand up for themselves and others. Someone who does not see color, just people. That is why I have chosen Gerry Bertier.

Some of you may think Gerry Bertier is just some football legend, but he was so much more than that. He was born August 20, 1953. He was raised by his mother. In 1971 T.C. Williams High School opened. It was the first school without segregation in Virginia. Three schools came together to form it. Gerry was from Hammond High School; he was a linebacker. None of the white people would associate with the blacks, but when it was time for football camp, somone put color aside. Gerry, a white boy, became friends with Julius Campbell, a black guy.

After that all the other teammates started to come together, leading to a 13-0 season. They also brought the school together. Sadness came to Alexandria, Virginia. Gerry was in a car accident and became paralyzed from the waist down. However, that did not stop him. He became very involved with the Wheelchair Olympics. He set state and national records.

Gerry was an inspiration to millions of people. He was awarded many awards and in 1992, he and Julius were accepted in the first Team Defense on the Connection Newspapers Football Dream Team known as the "Monsters of King Street."

Gerry's great success continued until his death on March 20, 1981. Before he died he was awarded the gold medal in the Wheelchair Olympics for the shot put. No one will forget how he brought an entire school together, leaving a legacy.