REMEMBERING THE GOOD OLE DAYS: Shawn Jones talks to the crowd about his high school football career and time at Georgia Tech during the United Way Kickoff event on Wednesday.

THOMASVILLE — The Plaza was buzzing on Wednesday as members of United Way of Thomasville welcomed in a panel of several of the most legendary athletes to come out of the Rose City.

As the lunch began, moderator and voice of the Yellow Jackets Randy Young introduced the panelists. Danny Copeland, a Thomas County Central graduate who ran track and played basketball as well as football. Copeland went on to play six years in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins. Copeland then returned to his home town of Meigs, where he started an after school program for local youth.

Mike Jones also joined the panel. Jones had a very successful track career and played basketball and football for Thomasville High School and attended University of Georgia, where he earned a spot on the freshman all-SEC team in 1989. He went on to serve as a member of the strength and conditioning staff of the New York Jets.

Shawn Jones was a legendary quarterback for Thomasville High School and led the Bulldogs to a 29-8-1 during his time there and later attended Georgia Tech, where he was the winningest quarterback in Georgia Tech history and a national champion.

Of course, the most well know athlete to come out of Thomasville, Charlie Ward Jr. was a member of the pannel. In high school, Ward was an all-state football and basketball player at Thomas County Central and later won the Heisman Trophy at Florida State and became the only Heisman winner to play in the NBA, where he most famously played for the New York Knicks.

As the event began, Randy Young posed questions to the panelists that had the audience listening intently, and bursting with laughter. Light hearted questions like who the athlete they looked up to as kids to deeper questions like what would you say to young athletes today.

“When I talk to my players and the guys that I mentor and coach, one of the things I always share with them is just enjoy the moment. A lot of times we get caught up into all of the stuff that comes in the decisions that you’ve got to make,” said Ward. “Those things are going to happen, but wherever you are, you just need to enjoy each and every moment of that and allow the Lord to direct your path. Because a lot of times we do need plans, but sometimes the Lord is going to direct us where we need to go. I just always tell people to enjoy the moment.”

The panelists spoke about what it was like playing ball in Thomasville and shared stories of their college and professional careers. After the panelists entertained the crowd, Don Sims led an auction. Attendees had the opportunity to bid on items like Georgia and Florida State footballs signed by legends like Charlie Ward Jr., Herschel Walker, and Kirby Smart. Other items included signed helmets and a Masters bag.