Freddie Solomon was ahead of his time

Freddie Solomon, the Super Bowl-winning wide receiver who died of cancer Monday at 59, was a pioneer with a big heart. A Sumter native, Solomon was a dynamic quarterback when few college football rosters in the South were integrated and fewer schools were willing to play a black quarterback.

But as a star option quarterback at the University of Tampa, “Fabulous Freddie” was good enough to finish 12th in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1974.

Solomon played in the NFL as a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers and helped the 49ers win two Super Bowls. He caught 371 passes during his NFL career (1975-1985) and scored a combined 57 touchdowns as a receiver, rusher or returner.

When the Post and Courier assembled a list of South Carolina’s top 100 athletes of the century in 1999, Solomon was a prestigious No. 41.

But most friends will remember him for charity work. Solomon after retiring from football did extensive community service in the Tampa area, including arranging for an annual Christmas party for foster children.

“I’ve never met a man who cared so much about the human race,” former 49ers owner Edward DeBartalo said in a statement.