ATLANTA – State Representative Dewey McClain (D-Lawrenceville) recently received the 2022 East Central University (ECU) Distinguished Alumni Award. Rep. McClain will be formally recognized at ECU’s “Evening of Honors and Recognition” event on May 6 in Ada, Oklahoma.
“I am honored and proud to be recognized by my alma mater, and I look forward to returning to Oklahoma to accept this award,” said Rep. McClain. “When I first graduated from ECU, I had no idea what all life had in store for me. However, the education and opportunities I received from ECU laid the foundation for me to succeed and accomplish my goals. I want to thank ECU for the incredible support they have provided to me and continue to provide to today’s students.”
“ECU is honored to present this award to Mr. McClain,” said Interim ECU President Jeffrey Gibson. “The lasting legacy he carries with him and his life’s work represents our university well.”
Rep. McClain was nominated for the award by several people who believe he has left a lasting impression at ECU and continues to represent the university well. ECU also recognized Rep. McClain’s legislative efforts regarding transportation, education and infrastructure needs, as well as his support for workplace justice, equal opportunities, employment and recreation. Rep. McClain has returned to Oklahoma for many events, such as serving as a speaker for “Life After Sports” at a local Black History Month event and to serve as the ECU homecoming parade marshal.
One of 11 children in his home in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Rep. McClain played football at and graduated from ECU with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1976. He was named an “All-American” football player while playing for the ECU Tigers.
After graduating from ECU, he played football in the National Football League with the Atlanta Falcons for five years and then with the U.S. Football League with the Oakland Invaders and Oklahoma Outlaws. He is a founding member and former president of the NFL Players Association Metro Atlanta Chapter. He was inducted into the Freedom Bowl Hall of Fame, Atlanta Tribune Magazine Hall of Fame and East Central University Hall of Fame (1983).
He also serves on the board of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Gene Upshaw Players Assistance Trust Fund. In addition to his hall of fame accolades, Rep. McClain has received the NFLPA Chapter of the Year Award three times and is a past recipient of the Jessie Jackson Sportsman of the Year Award. He is the immediate past chairman of the NFLPA Former Players, an executive committee member on the current player’s board and is a past member of the Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl Committee.
In Georgia, Rep. McClain currently serves as the House whip for the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. He has also served as president of the Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council AFL-CIO from 2013 to 2019. Rep. McClain also serves on the Georgia Council on Child Abuse, the Atlanta United Way, the Special Olympics, Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta, Life Link Foundation, Scott Hudgen’s Family Foundation, Martin Luther King Jr. March Committee, MLK Jr. Center for Non-Violent Change, SCLC WOMEN Inc., as well as the Gwinnett County Parks Foundation. He has also received the Gwinnet County Rape Crisis Crystal Angel Award and the MLK Jr. March Committee’s Rev. James Orange Award.
McClain met his wife, Linda Evans, in high school. They currently reside in Lawrenceville. The couple has two daughters and four grandsons.
To learn more about ECU’s upcoming award event, please click here.
*Editor’s Note: A photo of Rep. McClain can be found here.
Representative Dewey McClain represents the citizens of District 100, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2013 and currently serves on the Industry and Labor, Interstate Cooperation, Motor Vehicles and State Planning & Community Affairs committees.
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