Atlanta’s Version of the Energizer Bunny
by Gordon Pynes
 
Fans of the Atlanta High School Sports teams in the early 1950’s may have gotten confused to think one athlete was in fact one of triplet boys. In time, they realized that Andrew Booty Jordan was just one Rabbit player. He did seem to be everywhere when the Rabbits were competing in whatever sport. His coaches agreed that he was a natural athlete with great hand-eye coordination and good speed. That combination of athletic ability would lead him to earn 18 Rabbit letters across every sport available to the boys from 1951 to 1955. That broke down to four letters each in basketball, track and baseball. Booty added three in football and tennis. In the Rabbit annuals before or since I can find no Atlanta competitor to quite match him in versatility.

First, let’s deal with the name Booty by which he was known as a Rabbit athlete. The name was a family name but a size twelve foot used to punt barefoot added to being known as Booty. Born and raised in Atlanta he began to find a love for sports in the Pine street neighborhood. As many as 20 boys his age gathered virtually daily to play whatever sport was in season. Little league baseball was first and then football, basketball and track followed as the guys entered middle school. Talent abounded in every sport but Booty stood out across the sports spectrum.
 

After a successful two seasons in middle school Booty quickly began to shine on the high school Rabbit teams. After an outstanding 9th grade team season he was moved to the football varsity and played in a Bi-District game against Pittsburg. As a Sophomore Booty nailed down the right halfback spot from which he would shine for three seasons. Injuries plagued that season but despite missing three games he was second in scoring.  
 

The Junior year for Booty in the 1953 season was a super one as he romped for 19 touchdowns to lead the Rabbs to a District championship. An injury in the final game before Bi-District cost him to miss a losing contest with Henderson. He returned punts and kickoffs, gained over a thousand yards, averaged over nine yards a carry, caught 13 passes averaging 22 yards with each catch and was an outstanding defensive player intercepting six passes. Booty earned All-State honors being selected by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Dallas Morning News. Another well known player selected to the backfield was Mount Vernon quarterback Don Meredith. Old Pro football fans will remember him as a Dallas Cowboy and TV broadcaster.
 

Jordan would be a prime target for opposing teams his senior year in 1954. Many times he was used as a decoy and Fullback George Jackson got the most carries. However, Booty continued as a receiving threat and helped the Rabbits use the passing game. A broken ankle took him out of one and a half games but tape and novocain helped him through the season. 
 

Probably the highlight of Booty’s high school football career came as the Rabbits clashed with Linden at the Tigers field. Linden was undefeated at 9-0 and ranked third in the State. Seemingly, the Tigers were an easy favorite to win District and head to the playoffs. Linden scored on their first possession, missed the PAT and led 6-0. Booty and Jackson were bottled up and the Rabbs seemed to be doomed to lose. With only time short and the ball at the Rabb 40 yard line Booty told his Quarterback he thought he could get loose with a pass pattern. He would fake an out move but then cut sharply across the middle. It worked as he broke open, caught the perfect pass and was knocked out of bounds inside the one yard line. Only ten seconds remained. Fullback George Jackson got the call off tackle for the touchdown to tie the game. By this time both teams’ fans were virtually beserk. Then came a huge decision, the Rabbits would run for the extra point instead of kicking it. After a fake to Jackson wide Booty got the ball and bulled his 180 pounds through two defenders at the goal line to win it 7-6. Linden fans were totally stunned while Atlanta faithful were ecstatic. The game time had been kept by the referee since Linden had no stadium scoreboard clock. There was ill feeling for the referee but shortly thereafter the Tigers field had a scoreboard clock. The football thriller had led to an update for the stadium. This game has long been considered one of the most exciting between two bitter rivals and is still talked about by participants 70 years later. Booty had scored 36 touchdowns for the Rabbs in three seasons to rank among the best ever in the maroon and white.
 

Jordan was a tennis District champ and would compete in five track & field events. A solid baseball player at pitcher, third base and center field he earned All-District honors. Basketball and the 1955 Rabbit team would highlight Booty’s contributions to Rabbit sports history.
 

He earned a spot on the basketball team as a freshman and then became a soph starter. Injury caused him to miss some of the junior season and he became the team’s sixth man. As a senior in 1955 he played a lot as the Rabbits beat nemesis Mount Vernon with Don Meredith and for the first time in Rabb history advanced to the State tourney. An injury to their top scorer shortly before the half cost them a loss to Seminole. They then beat Freer for the consolation trophy. Since that State appearance only one other Rabb basketball team has made it to that level (1974).
 

Meanwhile, Booty was getting attention from Colleges to play football. He accepted a scholarship to Baylor in what was called the best freshman football class in Bears history. He enjoyed a good season with the Cubs and looked forward to a spot with the varsity for the 1956 season. However, a severe injury to his lower leg while on a summer job ruined the opportunity. Forced to miss a season and redshirt Booty decided to give up football and concentrate on his dental studies. That 1955 Bear team would go on to win the Sugar Bowl in 1957 beating number 2 ranked Tennessee. Booty would serve as a pressbox radio spotter of his former teammates at that game. Completing dental studies at the University of Texas and Baylor, Jordan established a Dentistry practice in Lufkin and maintained it for 53 years before retiring. He and his wife still reside in Lufkin.
 

Certainly a very prolific athlete in Atlanta athletic history Andrew Booty Jordan is most deserving to enter the Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025.