Davidson book signing great success

The collaboration of a book about hometown star athlete Cotton Davidson, who became well-known for his achievements in football and coaching, was first conceived in 2018. Wayland Corgill, a local author, was approached by Davidson and asked if he would write a book about his life.

Carole Corgill, his wife, remembered “He (her husband) actually wrote the book in two years altogether. He would think of questions and write them down and then go out and interview Cotton and come home and write down the responses.”

 Corgill said that because of COVID, they lost a year in the production of the book. “Cotton had read a book about Wayland’s life and there were a lot of similarities. That’s how it all got started. Wayland did not pursue the idea (of Davidson’s biography), but I’m glad he did,” said Corgill.

Davidson, just a few days prior to his 90^th birthday, was on hand for the official book signing at the Coryell Museum and Historical Center minus his co-author, Corgill, who died unexpectedly just days before. “Wayland and his wife Carole became very close friends of ours these past few years. I was honored to work together with him to bring this book to life and I am so deeply saddened at his sudden passing,” Davidson said.

In the book, “The NFL Rifleman,” it is written that Cotton Davidson spins a tale just as tight as any spiral he ever left. The book chronicles much of Cotton’s amazing story from his growing up on the banks of Coryell Creek in Coryell County, through his many pro-football and coaching years, to settling back into the same area he came from, Gatesville. Davidson, a 1949 graduate of Gatesville High School, was inducted into the Texas High School Hall of Fame in 1999 at the Ferrell Center in Waco.

Davidson attended Baylor University and played professionally for the National Football League’s Baltimore Colts in 1954 and 1957, and the American Football League’s Dallas Texans from 1960 to 1962, and the Oakland Raiders from 1962 to 1968.

He was selected in the first round of the 1954 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts. He played on the team for one year before being drafted into the Army, where he was named “All-Army quarterback” in 1956. Following his time in the Army, Davidson returned to Baltimore where he played backup quarterback to Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas. He would next play in Canada but was forced to depart midway through the season after suffering a shoulder injury.

He then returned to Baylor in 1959 where he became a member of the staff of head football coach John Bridgers. Later, he would sign with the Dallas Texans in 1960 for two seasons, being named MVP in 1961. Davidson finished his professional career playing for the Raiders before returning to Central Texas with his wife Carolyn, and went on to coach at Baylor University for 21 years. While at Baylor, he was considered to be a major contributor to Coach Grant Teaff’s Baylor Bear teams that won Southwest Conference championships in 1974 and 1980.

At the recent book signing, Gatesville Mayor Gary Chumley presented Davidson with a proclamation declaring Nov. 27 to be known as Cotton Davidson Day. “When I first met him (Davidson), my admiration of him grew even more because of his values – God, family, community, and he’s been an example for my generation of how a Christian should live his life,” Chumley said.

Copies of his book were on sale in the museum bookstore. At final count, well over 165 copies were sold on the day of the book signing, with long lines of people waiting for his autograph. Davidson and his wife were very touched by the outpouring of people.

“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and show gratitude and that is what I felt at the book signing. This community means the world to me and seeing these friendly faces and getting to talk to them and share memories was such a great experience for me,” Davidson said.

Copies of the book can be purchased in the gift shop at the museum, at 718 E. Main Street.