City of Dallas to Dedicate New Football Field at Thurgood Marshall Park to Honor Longtime Coach Who Led Oak Cliff’s Redbird Raiders for More Than 40 Years

Coach Earl Thompson, who spent more than four decades mentoring young athletes, was inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame and the Prairie View Interscholastic League Association Hall of Fame. His hometown of Conroe honored him with a designated “Earl Thompson Day.” He died earlier this year.

WHEN:   7 p.m. September 11, 2026

WHERE:  Thurgood Marshall Park, 5150 Mark Trail Way, Dallas 75232

WHO:   

Wife and other family members of Earl Thompson, Redbird Raiders players and coaches

Yvonne Davis, State Representative District 111

Zarin Gracey, Dallas City Council, District 3

Christopher Moorer, Dallas Park and Recreation Board District 3

Sean Johnson, Deputy Director, Dallas Park and Recreation