🏈 #FlashbackFriday Venice football tradition runs deep! Jack Pearson Jr. starred as a fullback for the Venice-Nokomis High School football team, now Venice High School, in the early 1950s. He was also a standout pitcher and power hitter for the school’s baseball team. ⚾ Pearson became the first recipient of the Ernie Kapplemann Award, which recognized an outstanding senior athlete. The trophy remains part of the City’s historical collection and is housed at the Julia Cousins Laning and Dale Laning Archives & Research Center.🏆 The son of Jack and Mini Pearson, who owned the Englewood Bait House in the 1940s, Jack Jr. later served in the U.S. Navy before being honorably discharged in 1955. He eventually settled on Manasota Key, where he and his wife raised two children. More than 70 years later, Venice’s proud football tradition continues! Good luck to the Venice Football team as they take on SmartEn Sports Academy tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Venice High School. Go Indians! 🏈🎉 #100y...