CLAIM TO FAME: Givins was born in St. Petersburg, starred in football at Lakewood High School, then became a receiver, rusher, passer and kickoff/punt returner at Northeast Oklahoma Junior College and Louisville. He still holds Cardinals kickoff-return and punt-return records.
Givins was a second-round draft choice of the Houston Oilers (now Tennessee Titans) in 1986, and became the ninth rookie receiver to amass 1,000 yards. He played for the Oilers from 1986-94 and holds team records for career receptions (542), receiving yards (7,935) and a spate of postseason records.
And he created the Electric Slide touchdown celebration, dragging one foot across the end-zone turf before spiking the ball.
Givins conducts anti-drug and AIDS awareness programs at Campbell Park, gives motivational speeches, often visiting 3-4 schools a week, donates time and money to Lakewood's football and track programs, and has an annual $2,000 scholarship fund at St. Petersburg's First Baptist Institutional Church. He founded, coached and, when needed, quarterbacked the St. Petersburg Sharks, three-time champions of the semi-pro Southern States Football League, and established Silver Raiders Little League football team in St. Petersburg.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "He's one of very few athletes who has grown up in St. Petersburg, made it big elsewhere and then come back and done something to help other people in the community." - Derrick Pollack of the intervention center at Lakewood High School and owner of the Sharks.
DID YOU KNOW?: On Sept. 24, 1989, Givins caught a sideline pass at the Buffalo 18-yard line, did a split to avoid an ankle tackle, leaped at the 2 as Bills cornerback Nate Odomes hit him waist-high, somersaulted over Odomes, landed feetfirst in the end zone and did his signature dance. NFL Films named it one of the league's 100 best-ever touchdowns.
WHERE IS HE NOW?: Givins is a campus monitor at Bay Point Middle School in St. Petersburg, involved with children who skip classes and those who leave or come to the campus, and is part of the school's Juvenile Justice Program. He also coaches the SSFL's Hernando Eagles in Brooksville.
WORDS TO LIVE BY: "My mother and father always told me, "We don't care how small you are or how big you get, we don't care about how much money you make; don't ever forget where you come from. Someone had to help you, so you always have to help someone.' ... You may not see the results right away, you might get discouraged, but you will motivate some person's life just by talking to them and listening to them. Someone did that for me. Now I'm returning the favor."
