Robert Hawkins (Photo from Jefferson County Education Association)
The Jefferson Junior/High School community lost one of their own over the weekend. Jefferson Social Worker Robert Hawkins unexpectedly died over the weekend. Hawkins had served as a social worker at Jefferson since the 2003-2004 school year. Riley Robert Hawkins was born in 1956 in Lexington, Kentucky. He played football at the University of Kentucky and was drafted in the 8th round (209th overall) by Oakland Raiders in 1979. Hawkins graduated with an undergraduate degree in education and a master’s degree in social work.
Photo of Hawkins playing for the University of Kentucky (from the Mountain Sports Hall of Fame)
The Kentucky Mountain Sports Hall of Fame posted the photo above on their Facebook page along with this message:
Sad news to report out of Mount Sterling. Robert Hawkins, widely considered to be the best running back to ever come out of Mount Sterling/Montgomery County passed away today of a massive heart attack. He played for the University of Kentucky and went on to play in the NFL. He will be missed by many. Hawkins also had the state high school 100 yard dash record for a while with a 9.2 in the 100 yard dash. Hawkins played for Fran Curci from 1976-79 on the 10-1 probation team that finished 5th in the nation. In a high school game vs. Bath County in 1975 he gained 403 yards.
While a social worker at Jefferson, Robert Hawkins launched the nonprofit SPIN Enterprises to support students at Jefferson and around the metro area. One of the main programs at Jefferson was Street Cred. Street Cred is an interactive, activity based character education program specifically developed for high-risk teenagers and is designed to improve personal ethics, teach problem solving, build awareness of effective life skills, promote positive study skills, and support students in their daily decision making.
Here’s a video about the Street Cred program at Jefferson.
Robert was also dedicated to supporting fellow teachers and school staff. He served as a Jefferson County Education Association board member and chair of the JCEA Ethnic Minority Outreach & Advocacy Team. He was dedicated and passionate about recruiting and ensuring the voices of Black and Latino educators were heard and elevated.
Robert Hawkins was truly a Saint. Rest in power, Robert. May your legacy of selflessness, love and advocacy live on.
Robert Hawkins Saint Support Fund
Edgewater Collective has created the Robert Hawkins Saint Support Fund to provide funds and resources for students at Jefferson Junior/Senior High School. These funds will be used to meet various needs of Jefferson students from food, clothing, transportation or education supports.
Click here to donate to this fund.
Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.
Rest In Peace Brother. ♥️
I knew “Hawk” from our time together on the University of Kentucky track team. He was an awesome person, great competitor/teammate, and always fun to be around. I am blessed to have know him and he will be missed. Rest In Peace Brother!
“Hawk” was a track & Field teammate of mine at the University of Kentucky. I have nothing but fond memories of his sense of humor and distinctive laugh as we shared many hours together traveling and competing in the SEC. I’d like to wish his family my heartfelt condolences for this devastating loss. May your memories of Robert give you strength during this difficult time.
Rest in Peace “Hawk”.
It was an honor to know him it bike my heart to know he passed 🥺😭
It was an honor to know him it breaks my heart to know he passed 🥺😭rip hawk