George Headley, one of Jamaica's most celebrated cricketers, was honoured with the Norman Manley Award for Excellence in 1973 for his remarkable contributions to the sport. Widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in West Indies cricket history, Headley's illustrious career spanned from 1930 to 1954, during which he scored numerous centuries and became an international cricket icon. Known for his indomitable spirit, his legacy continues to inspire future generations, cementing his place as a symbol of excellence in both cricket and Jamaican sports history.

Published Monday, October 8, 1973

Headley ‘a living inspiration to the young’

- 35,000 at award ceremony

The largest crowd ever to attend a ceremony in the four-year history of the Norman Manley Foundation witnessed the presentation of the year’s Award of Excellence to George Headley, one of the world’s greatest cricketers, at the National Stadium on Saturday night.

The award, which went to the field of sports, was highlighted by the presentation of an international track meet which had athletes from Russia, United States, East Germany, Kenya, host country Jamaica and others taking part.

 Edna Manley, widow of Norman Manley, made the presentation to Headley while the citation was read by Douglas Fletcher, Jamaica’s ambassador to Washington.

Heading the 35,000-odd persons there to see the track meet and ceremony was the Governor-General, his Excellency the Most Hon Florizel Glasspole. The Prime Minister, the Hon Michael Manley, ministers of government, and heads of the diplomatic corps, were also in attendance.

The citation referred to Headley as “a living inspiration to the young”. It said: “His presence in any company is the presence of sustained work, dedicated application and depth of concentration, of the spirit of excellence, and the embodiment of the human will to triumph over threatening odds.

LOVE

“He remains one of the few Jamaicans of his generation with a genuine international reputation, and survives with the love, affection and admiration of the broad mass of Jamaican people”.

Following is the full text of the citation:

“It is fitting that the field of Sports should be singled out for the Norman Manley Award of Excellence. Fitting because the late Norman Washington Manley was, among others things, a celebrated sportsman, winning more events in Inter-Schools Athletics Championships than anyone else has ever done, and setting a record for the 100 yards which stood unbeaten for nearly half a century. Without any loss of interest in the field of Sports, he was to move on in adult life to a legendary professional career and a political life of creative dimensions, to which the present generation owes not a little.

“It is significant that his rise to prominence in public life in Jamaica should have coincided with the greatest deeds of the winner of the Norman Manley Award for Excellence for 1973 — George Alphonso Headley. George Headley can  be described as a humanist, coach of cricket, star of cricket and one of the greatest sportsmen of the 20th century.

“George Headley is undoubtedly one of the greatest cricketers who ever lived, the best ever produced by Jamaica, the best batsman ever to appear in West Indian cricket, and certainly among the few batsmen of excellence produced by the seven major cricketing countries since organised competition of this international game began.

“This is indeed an achievement of distinguished eminence, by any standard, and the achievement stands as a model for Jamaicans today, as it will for generations  of Jamaicans to come, in the struggle to build a society on the basis of sustained industry and application and commitment to excellence. George Headley had a remarkable length of service in a Test career which began in 1930 and ended in 1954, a time span exceeded only by two other players among the thousands who have played Test cricket over the past 96 years. He also scored double centuries for Jamaica more than 20 years apart, in noble defiance of a World War that threatened in 1939 to tarnish the glories of a career which he had nurtured throughout the decade.

FIRST TEST

“He began his Test career by scoring over a century and three-quarters in the second innings of his match which took place in Bridgetown, Barbados, which, as it happened, was the hometown of his Barbadian father. In his own person, George Headley represented some fascinating aspects of West Indian history and social life.

“He was born in the Canal Cone of Panama, the son of parents who were among those who built the Canal with their labour. Fortunately, the matriarchal tradition prevailed and he was brought to his mother’s homeland at an early age. Equally fortunate for Jamaica as for the West Indies, his cricketing talent saved him from joining relatives in the United States as a migrant himself. Instead, he stayed to become a cricket immortal at a time when opportunities were few, if not non-existent, for persons born of  George Headley’s social background and circumstances.

“It is this victory over severe odds through his dedicated artistry and brilliance that helps to mark George Headley, not only as a great sportsman, but a great human being worthy of emulation both in the world of sports and beyond.

“His great scoring averages, his indomitable spirit on the field, and his remarkable endurance all added up to a style which helped to revolutionise the game of cricket, and has made his achievement to be of really original and lasting value.

“To have scored the same number of centuries as matches played in his very first Test series; to have been voted the best leg-side player in the world by conquering a known weakness in the leg or on-side up a world record for first class cricket in record  in the now famous Headley-Passail-aigue partnership in 1932; to have remained, after a generation, still among the very few choice players of substance and exceptional brilliance  — all serve to indicate the measure of the greatness of George Alphonso Headley.

ACCLAIM

“As far back as 1933, his skills received the critical acclaim reserved for only the greatest. According to E.W. Stanton, the famous authority on cricket, in the second volume of the standard History of Cricket, he had all the outstanding qualities of a “superb wrist and eye of the finest … athletes and, what is less common, a calm temper - capable of stemming misfortune”. The tribute later paid to him in his historic achievement of being the one and only man to score two hundred runs in a Test at Lord’s — the home of cricket — remains true almost 35 years later!

“The interruption of World War II failed to break his spirit or his skill and, with peace restored, he was to engage in numerous inter-territorial games for Jamaica. Then, in a belated token gesture of justice, he was asked to captain the West Indies in one Test, and toured India in 1948-49, playing in a Test series in what was his 40th year. His magnanimity and love for the game, as well as his quiet dignity, made him carry on.

“In 1954, at the age of 45, he was still good enough to earn a place in a Test team playing alongside new stars like Ramadhin and Valentine, who were young enough to be his sons. Two of George Headley’s own sons were later to excel in cricket and athletics, due no doubt to the example and inspiration of their father.

“For George Headley continues to be a living inspiration to the young. His presence in any company is the presence of sustained work, dedicated, and the embodiment of the human will to triumph over threatening odds.

“He remains one of the few Jamaicans of his generation with a genuine international reputation, and survives with the love, affection and admiration of the broad mass of Jamaican people.

“The 1973 Award for Excellence in the field of Sports goes then to this great Jamaican, George Alphonso Headley, a unique and great contributor to a great and unique game of international sport”.

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