1969 & Before 

GARY KEITHLEY
Alvin High School (1966-1968)
Position: Quarterback, Punter

Gary Keithley earned all-state honors as a senior in 1968 after leading the Alvin Yellowjackets to their first district title in a decade. The team lost to Refugio, 55-44, in the 3A state semifinals—a game that matched the legendary 1963 Lee-Brackenridge showdown as the highest-scoring playoff matchup in state history, a record it held for 26 years.

Known as "Mr. Do Everything" by the Houston media, Keithley set school records with 1,789 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. He also scored 15 more touchdowns and averaged 42.5 yards per punt, helping the Yellowjackets finish the season with a 12-1 record. Keithley was a three-time All-District quarterback and earned recognition as the top QB recruit in Texas by Texas Football.

Keithley signed with the University of Texas before later transferring to UTEP, where, as a senior, he ranked among the top 10 in the nation for punting, passing, and total offense. He was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft. After three seasons with the Cardinals, Keithley spent two seasons with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League (1977-1978).

Following his playing career, Keithley returned to Texas and began a long coaching career. In 2009, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Alvin ISD Athletic Hall of Honor.