Tony Perkins Supporting Coach Sid

Two of the most admired people in Central had never actually met until a few weeks ago.

Former Rep. Tony Perkins represented Central in the Louisiana Legislature for eight years and has been involved in Central for the past 30+ years.  But along the way, he had never met Coach Sid Edwards, who served as head football coach for Central High and Athletic Director for the Central School

System for a total of 17 years.

The Perkins family lives north of Central, and Tony served for a time as pastor at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church.

For the past 20 years, he has served as President of Family Research Council in Washington, one of the most important pro-family organizations in the country.  He hosts a daily news program from 4 to 5 p.m. that is heard on more than 800 radio stations.

“I had heard wonderful things about Coach Sid as long as I can remember but never actually met him,” Perkins said.

That problem was solved a few weeks ago when Coach Sid, the Republican candidate for Mayor-President, paid a visit to Perkins at his Louisiana headquarters of Family Research Council located on Florida Boulevard.

The two met for nearly two hours and discussed a wide range of topics.  Perkins, who also holds a doctorate, was formerly a Baton Rouge police officer, questioned Coach Sid on his approach to the crime problem in Baton Rouge.

Coach Sid, who was named National High School Coach of the Year and Louisiana 5A Coach of the Year, now works with inner city youth in his capacity as Dean of Students and head football coach at Istrouma High School.

Dr. Perkins and Coach Sid agreed that the fundamental problem is spiritual and the breakdown in the family.

Coach Sid emphasized that we need fathers who will meet their responsibilities. The legendary coach said, “Football is just a game but it’s important because we use that game to teach character.  Our goal is to graduate young men who will be good sons, husbands, fathers, and members of the community.”

Both agreed that police pay in Baton Rouge has to be increased and that the city must hire at least 100 new officers.  Coach Sid said, “Today there is little community policing because the Police Department is so short-handed. We must be pro-active, not just reactive, and work in the community.”

Coach Sid emphasized the need for a new Parish Prison and a Psychiatric Hospital to help the mentally ill who flood our streets and jails.

Dr. Perkins will host a pastors breakfast at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17 at Family Research Council, 10925 Florida Blvd. in Baton Rouge.  He has also agreed to host a rally in Central honoring Coach Sid, which will probably be held in the runoff election between Nov. 5 and Dec. 7.

Coach Sid said he is honored to have the support of Tony Perkins, and he looks forward to working with him in the years ahead.