Tucson High's Jesse Parker in 1971. Tucson Citizen file photo

 Tucson Citizen file photo

Although three knee surgeries in college, both at UCLA and Arizona, kept him from being a college standout, Parker was a Parade All-American in 1972 at THS, rushing for 3,049 yards as the state’s most coveted offensive recruit.

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Contact sports columnist Greg Hansen at 520-573-4362 or ghansen@tucson.com. On Twitter: @ghansen711