Editor's note: This story was originally published on April 24, 2009 on WeslacoSports.net ... It is currently the most viewed article on WeslacoSports.net with more than 26,000 views. ... Story on WeslacoSports.net may differ from published story in the Mid-Valley Town Cirer.

WESLACO - Bobby Lackey recently sat down with WeslacoSports.net.

Bobby Lackey, who played for the Weslaco Panthers football team from 1952-1956, quarterbacked and punted for the varsity team all four years of his high school career, but wasn't the starting quarterback his freshman year.

Lackey is known as one of the most outstanding football players to come out of Weslaco High.

In 1955, the Weslaco Panthers, led by Lackey, had a successful (10-0) regular season record and (3-1) playoff run. The memorable season came to an end against Hillsboro as Weslaco came up short 20-7 in the Texas 2A State semi-finals. The Panthers defeated Sinton, Floresville and Nederland on their way to the semi-finals that year.

When at the University of Texas from 1956 through 1960, Lackey coached by the legendary Darrel K. Royal, quarterbacking the team to the 1959 Southwest Conference championship and a berth in the 1960 Cotton Bowl. For Royal, it was a start of success at Texas.

Q: What was the feeling of playing for Weslaco High and the Texas Longhorns?

A: Well, it was a thrill to be at both places. My freshmen year and first year as a Longhorn, I was 204 pounds. I grew up in Weslaco, it was good times, and we were recognized as one of the best teams in the Valley.

Q: How does it feel being the top scorer with UT during the 1958 and 1959 season?

A: Well, I never really paid attention to the top scorer. At the time, the top scorer didn't really mater as long as we won the game. I was always thrilled to win. It just happened and I wasn't really going for that. I was just trying to do my best, play my best.

Q: What do you remember about the game winning field goal that beat Texas A&M 9-7 in 1957?

A: It was certainly a big thrill. Those days I kicked and punted. We didn't work at it so much, not like these days.

Q: You were not only a quarterback but a kicker as well. You not only had success at Weslaco High but at UT too. What did you do to strive at Texas, too?

A: You know, we didn't have that many quarterbacks back in those days. I remember Coach Royal saying: "all quarterbacks had to kick". If you don't ever practice, you won't earn what you're going for if you don't work at it.

As a kid, I remember two or three guys who would always work at getting better at any sport, whether it was basketball, football or other sports.

It seems now-a-days everything has to be organized for young players just to have a good time.

Q: What can you tell me about legendary Texas football coach Darrel K. Royal?

A: He was a good coach and knew what he was doing. When I got out of high school, he was still coaching. He is a very strong person.

Q: How does it feel to be the first Texas Longhorn to be on the SI (Sports Illustrated) cover on the November 9, 1959 issue.

A: Actually, I didn't know I was on the SI cover until Mack Brown made a statement on that. We get people to actually get them signed.

I say we, because my wife is on their as well. We get about 2-3 people every year to sign them. They probably want them as a memorable gift.

Q: What did you do to make sure you got on the varsity team at Weslaco High all four school years?

A: I was certainly proud to be apart of the team when I was a freshmen. I was starting on defense as outside linebacker, but not starting quarterback.

I remember when I kicked an extra point which gave us the win over Donna. When we played Donna a lot of people turned out for that rivalry game from anywhere.

I was a good athlete and the good lord gave me this gift. I could play football to basketball to baseball and now I play golf.

Sometimes guys are blessed with the ability and not all, but for most of them are like the ones in the NFL.

Q: In 1955 you led the Panthers to a 13-1 record overall including playoffs and a berth in the 2A State semi-finals, which was cut short by Hillsboro. That year you also earned all-state quarterback honors. How did it feel to take your teammates up to state and being named all-state quarterback that season?

A: It's a great honor. I made the all-American team. Those are all great honors.

I had a good bunch of players to help me out.

Q: What can you recall about the 1958 game against second-ranked Oklahoma in which UT pulled out a 15-14 win?

A: The Oklahoma game was certainly tough. That was the year after the Texas A&M game. That was the first year we had beaten Oklahoma in like six years. When we scored, we made a 2-point conversion to go with it.

That was the first year the 2-point conversion was used. It made the score 14-8. It was a huge game and it gave Coach Royal a lift to compete. I made an interception, which made the time run out late in the game.

Q: What do you remember about the loss to Syracuse 23-14 in January of 1960 where you guys played for the national championship?

A: That was a big game for the University of Texas. It was the very first one.

We had a chance to win the game. It was a good game, we beat them physically. We gave up some mistakes on the goal line and pass play. The game could have gone either way. I think they knew it was a heck of a fight.

Q: What can you tell me about your senior year at Weslaco High?

A: It went quick, it wasn't too long ago. It has gone by fast. We had winning season in football, basketball and baseball. It was a great year for the seniors.

Q: Tell me about your experience you had with quarterbacking? Tell me about the pressure.

A: The only pressure I bet was the tailback slot. The first thing is make sure you get the ball from center. You can't be watching what the others are doing. If someone is blitzing, you go to make sure you get the ball under center and go about your business.

Q: What do you do at this age in time, and how's life treating you?

A: Well, I'm always interested in what my grandkids are doing. I always keep up with my grandkids. They have played really well in sports. I play golf now and things have been really good. We have a home in New Mexico, where we go in the summer to get out of the here. People think I play a lot of golf but really I don't.

Q: Do you miss playing football?

A: I don't miss it at the age I am right now. Football has changed. People have gotten bigger and faster. Now they have steady weight rooms for the off-season. Back in our days we wouldn't do that, well not as a team.

I would usually just go on to the next sport. Now-a-days they just play their own sports. Athletes should continue with another sport, especially if they are good athletes.

Q: How does it feel to have the privilege of having the stadium in Weslaco named after you?

A: It's the greatest honor I've had. I'm very humble at them doing that. It doesn't get much better than for a community to have a stadium named after me.  It's very  awesome. I am certainly very humble.

Q: What advice would you give other football players following in your footsteps?

A: Some guys don't have to work as hard as others, because it comes to them. But some have to work, because it's not as easy for them. It's truly up to each person to what they want to get out.

It's up to the individual to set the goals for themselves.