Post by Laurence Aikens

John Allen Amos Jr. (born December 27, 1939) is an actor known for his roles as James Evans, Sr. on the television series Good Times and in the miniseries, Roots, for which he received an Emmy nomination. His other television work includes roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and a recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace on The West Wing. In Coming to America and its sequel, he played Cleo McDowell. He has appeared on Broadway and in numerous films throughout a career that spans four decades. He has received nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and NAACP Image Award. He enrolled at Long Beach City College and graduated from Colorado State University qualifying as a social worker with a BA in Sociology. He played on the CSU Rams football team. Following college, he was a Golden Gloves boxing champion. He signed a free-agent contract with the AFL Denver Broncos. Unable to run the 40-yard dash because of a pulled hamstring, he was released on the second day of training camp. He then played with the Cleveland Bulldogs and Joliet Explorers of the UFL. He played with the Norfolk Neptunes and Wheeling Ironmen of the CFL. He played with the Jersey City Jets and Waterbury Orbits of the ACFL. He had signed a free-agent contract with the AFL Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Hank Stram told him "you're not a football player, you're a man who is trying to play football." He approached Stram with a poem he wrote about the mythical creature that passed the door of all players who are cut from the team. He read it to the team and received a standing ovation from all the players and coaches. He said Stram pushed him in the direction of writing after he was released from training camp. He returned to the Continental League where he played that year with the Victoria Steelers. He is a veteran of the 50th Armored Division of the NJ National Guard and Honorary Master Chief of the Coast Guard. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence