MICKEY EARLY played football and ran track at Rotan. He was 9.6-second 100-yard sprinter in the late 1960’s, which was among the fastest times in the state. On the football field, Early was a three-year starter at SMU, earning all-Southwest Conference honors as a defensive back. Early signed a pro football contract with the Houston Oilers in 1978, but returned to Rotan to begin a 41-year career in education as a principal and superintendent.
