Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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July 10, 2010

Jones highlights “Soul of Coal” at Tamarack

Staff reports Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BECKLEY — Beyond athletic abilities, fallen coal miner William “Rosie” Roosevelt Lynch and Kansas City Chiefs running back Thomas Jones have a stronger common ground: both are part of the deep-rooted African-American history in Appalachian coal mining.

This shared history will bring the NFL premier player back to the coalfields on Sunday. Jones will serve as keynote speaker at an event honoring Roosevelt Lynch and Joel “Jody” Price, two African-American miners who lost their lives on April 5 at the Upper Big Branch mining disaster in Montcoal.

“The Soul of Coal” will take place Sunday at Tamarack Conference Center in Beckley at 2 p.m. The event will focus on the rich history and diversity in southern West Virginia coal mining with proceeds going to the Lynch Memorial Fund set up through the Beckley Area Foundation.

Jones, a native of Big Stone Gap, Va., is one of seven children from a coal mining family. He graduated from the University of Virginia, and was then drafted seventh overall in the 2000 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals.

He went on to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and will be with the Chiefs this season.

Jones’ younger brother, Julius Jones, is a running back for the Seattle Seahawks.

“Soul of Coal” tickets are $20 per attendee, or $15 for youth and senior citizens. Seats or tables can be reserved by calling (304) 342-0133. Payment by checks or donations can be made payable to BAF-Lynch Memorial fund.

Event information and online registration can be found at  www.tinyurl.com/soulofcoal.

 

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