Elijah Childers (deceased) graduated from Woodson High School in Abilene before integration where he was a three-year letterman in football, basketball and track. He started at tackle on offense and defense at Prairie View A&M, where he was all-SWAC in 1954-55. Prairie View won four consecutive SWAC titles and was crowned national champions of the Negro League in 1953 and 1954. He also lettered in track. Childers played for the Detroit Lions in 1955 and 1956 and the Cleveland Browns in 1957. He later played a season with the Ottawa Rough Riders in the Canadian Football League before leaving pro football because of knee problems. He coached in Cuero, Sweeney, Aldine and Houston from 1958-91. He was named to the Prairie View A&M Hall of Fame in 1988.