SOUTH POINT -

Former NFL player Coy Bacon Saturday night was

honored for his work with young people.

At its annual meeting, the southern Ohio branch of the NAACP officially commended Bacon for his work as a coach and mentor in local schools' athletic programs, and for

his work as a motivational speaker, lecturing young people on the evils of drug abuse and other pitfalls to success, and inspiring them to live a life with purpose.

"He goes to different churches, schools, just anywhere they call him," said Deotis Conwell, president of the Lawrence County Branch of the NAACP. "He goes all over and tries to do what he can for the community. We need people like that. This award is for his dedication to young people and to the community."

Bacon said the honor was a pleasant and unexpected surprise.

"They got me again," Bacon said, smiling and gesturing toward his wife, Pat and his cousin, Dorsey Conwell, who were both instrumental in making sure this and an honor last month were both a surprise. In September, Bacon was honored with signs at Ironton City limits, noting his professional accomplishments. The new signs were unveiled during the opening ceremonies of the Festival of the Hills.

"I appreciate all of it," Bacon said. "I thank God, and I try to do what I can for the community."

During the annual Freedom Fund banquet at the Grandview Inn in South Point, keynote speaker, William Cofield, Assistant to the Director of Land Grant Programs at Kentucky State University, noted that America is a melting pot, made stronger by its diversity.

"All of us are working together to make this country great," Cofield said. "No one group of people made this country what it is, it took the blood, sweat, and tears of everyone to make this country what it is."

Cofield said the nation will soon celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landmark Brown versus the Board of Education of Topeka, Kan., a U.S. Supreme Court case that led to the desegregation of American schools. Cofield said while strides have been made there is still work to be done to insure equal opportunity for all. Quoting a verse from an old spiritual, he encouraged those in attendance to

"Keep your hand on the plow, hold on."