Charles Spencer Jr.’s Number 77 Jersey Retired

By Jennifer L. Warren

POUGHKEEPSIE – It was one of those transformative, cross roads moments, a trajectory-altering one forever etched in Charles (Big Juney) Spencer Jr.’s memory.

A Poughkeepsie High School Pioneer gridiron defensive end standout, Spencer had just been rewarded with a promotion from the junior varsity to varsity ranks. Chatting away with a teammate while the Assistant Coach, who worked with the entire defense, Anthony Drakeford (“Coach” as he was fondly referred to by players) was outlining some key, upcoming drill content, Spencer was delivered a shocking directive from his no-nonsense, disrespected leader.

“He told me to drop my pads and leave his field,” recalled the 6’ 5” Spencer, adding that he was kicked off of the team. “That time away from the game totally changed my perspective and what was needed to be successful.”

After watching games as a reluctant spectator that season and feeling the intense void not having football in his life left, Spencer returned his junior year with a newfound level of discipline, becoming one of the most talented and feared players in the area. The combination of raw talent and an iron work ethic resulted in a full Division I Scholarship to powerhouse, Pittsburgh University, where he transitioned to the offensive side of the ball at guard, earning Second-Team All Big East Honors both his junior and senior years. Those accolades, combined with his size, power, dedication, and pure passion for the game caught the attention of the NFL, where the 2000 PHS graduate made history as its most accomplished alumnus in 50 years when he was drafted in the third round, as the 65th overall pick by the Houston Texans.

After starting the first two games of the season at the pivotal left tackle position (the epicenter of protecting the quarterback) for the Texans, even getting to square off and “more than hold his own” against the three-time, First-team All Pro, Dwight Freeney, during his pro tenure, Spencer endured a devastating injury he could never fully recover from. However, he still managed to spend time with three NFL franchises, a journey whose platform he uses to this day to advocate for youth development and mental health awareness in an array of leadership and mentor roles. That deep commitment to never forgetting his roots as well as serving as an inspiration to young people- was on full display Friday when Spencer returned to his alma mater for “Big Juney” Day, the official retiring of his number 77 football jersey. The “homecoming” occasion- which included Thursday speaking engagements with the PHS players as well as Poughkeepsie Cardinals Youth Football members- potently reminded Spencer of the priceless foundation Poughkeepsie provided him with- as both an athlete and person.

“The one thing Poughkeepsie really taught me was about winning and how to win; the expectations of winning really created a strong base,” reflected Spencer, who resides in Fulshear, Texas. “They are ideas-lessons I still apply to all areas of my life and everything I do today.”
That gratitude was evident Friday night at halftime to the Pioneers’ season home opener against Hyde Park, whose coach just so happened to have a huge academic impact on Spencer when he was a teacher at PHS. Here, amid hundreds of fans in a nostalgic setting where he honed his craft and mined lessons extending way beyond the football field’s parameters, Spencer’s extensive achievements were relayed while his iconic number 77 was retired.

“The timing for this all seemed so perfect, from my old teacher now being the coach of the opposing team, to many of my friends being able to be there as well as my mother who still lives in Poughkeepsie,” said the humbled Spencer. “It’s a tremendous honor; I took a lot of value in being the best player I could be, whether it was high school, college or the pros; this is where I started at and where I’m now going to finish.”

It’s a finish line-culminating an amazing career- that Coach Drakeford could not be more proud of, and something he knew from day one Spencer had it in him to achieve.

“Charles was one of the bigger and stronger players we had, was a real worker who had a smell for the NFL,” said Drakeford. “When he came back to the team as a junior, he just really understood exactly what he had to do to be successful and did it.” Reflecting further about the player who was only one of two Pioneer gridiron players to ever make the NFL, Drakeford added, “He was the key to our defense and the entire program, a generational type of player-one in a million-who ended up doing wonders.”

So, what is the one gem of advice the most decorated Pioneer football player at PHS in the last half century would give to young people today aspiring to success in the game?

“Effort is everything; the NFL really taught me the level of commitment that is needed in this game,” said Charles, who related the endless hours he devoted to studying opposing players’ footwork before game day.“There will always be technique to master, but without real effort, you aren’t going anywhere.”