Robert Young was a football and track star from Brownwood who played three years for Howard Payne. He went on to a 16-year career in the National Football League – the longest pro career of any Howard Payne player. In 1960, Young was the first Texas high school athlete in Class 3A to throw the shot put over 60 feet. He played football his freshman year at the University of Texas and was named the Southwest Conference’s outstanding freshman offensive lineman. He then transferred to Howard Payne. Despite his size, Young was known for his speed and could outrun running backs and receivers in practice drills. He also competed in the shot put at Howard Payne. A 19th-round draft choice, Young played for four pro teams from 1966-1981, including 10 years with the St. Louis Cardinals. His strength and speed helped him earn All-Pro honors in 1978 at age 36 and a Pro Bowl selection in 1979 at 37. Young and other Cardinal offensive linemen are credited with introducing modern weightlifting and powerlifting into the training regime of the NFL. He also played for the Denver Broncos, Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints. Young competed in the inaugural World's Strongest Man contest in 1977, finishing second. After his pro career, Young coached in the USFL from 1982-86 as an offensive line coach for the Houston Gamblers. He coached the offensive line at University of Houston from 1987-89 and for the Houston Oilers from 1990-95. He died in 1995.