The legacy of a Hopkinsville football legend will live on through a scholarship fund established in his honor. A brief memorial service for 72-year old Herb Covington will be held Saturday afternoon at 1:00pm, at Walnut Street Stadium, followed by a Celebration of Life service at the War Memorial Building, on South Virginia Street. Covington passed away Tuesday, at Tri Star Centennial Medical Center in Nashville.
In Covington’s honor contributions are being taken for the Herb Covington Memorial Hopkinsville High School Tigers Football Scholarship Fund, 430 Coffman Drive, Hopkinsville, KY 42240.
Covington played football for Hopkinsville High School from 1961 to 1963. During the 1961 season, he played fullback. But, with the arrival of Fleming Thornton in 1962, he was moved to halfback where he started for the next two seasons.
In his junior year, he was selected to both the All-WKC and All-State teams. In his senior year, he played both offense and defense, and was again selected All-WKC and All-State, as well as high schooll All-American. Covington’s number, #22, was retired by Hopkinsville High School in 1997.
Following high school, Covington attended Memphis State University on a football scholarship, where he was the leading rusher on the freshman team. Following his freshman season, he was a three-year starter for the varsity Tigers. Two of Covington’s highlights in his college career were a 125-yard rushing performance in an upset of #5 Mississippi State in 1965, and a 92-yard run against Cincinnati that was the longest run from scrimmage in Memphis State history, and still is to this date.
Covington was drafted by the New Orleans Saints, but his pro career was cut short due to a knee injury.
He retired as Supervisor of Special Events from P&E Distributing, and most recently worked at the Christian County Road Department.
Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Sheila West Covington.
Goodwin Funeral Home, in Cadiz is in charge of the arrangements.