The Washington High School Athletic Walk of Fame is special.

Conceived and initiated by Brownie Futrell, and sponsored by the Washington Daily News, this endeavor honors former athletes, teams, and coaches whose achievements were truly outstanding. Also honored are others whose efforts, energies, and resources were significantly beneficial to WHS athletics.

Among the very first inductees was Ted Day. Before his playing days on the gridiron at WHS were over, he was recognized as one of the very best interior linemen to ever wear the navy and white. And that is saying a lot.

Then it was on to East Carolina College, where Ted donned the purple and gold, and the legend grew.

Pirate Ted distinguished himself in impressive fashion. He lettered as a freshman. In his sophomore year — 1962 — he was a starter at offensive guard, and won the team’s “Outstanding Blocking Trophy.”

The following year, he again won the coveted blocking award, and was named to the North Carolina Collegiate “All State Team.”

In his senior season Ted once again won the “Outstanding Blocking Trophy,” was named team captain, named the “All State Team Co-Captain,” and was designated “Honorable Mention Small College All-American.”

A four-year letterman, Ted played in three bowl games: Eastern Bowl, and Tangerine Bowl (twice). They won all three.

This superlative athlete has been nominated for inclusion in East Carolina University’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

The legendary Coach Clarence (Stas) Stasavich frequently used Ted Day as an example when speaking to civic clubs, Pirate Clubs, and athletic banquets. He said, “I want an offensive guard that weighs 185 pounds and is agile, mobile and hostile like Ted Day.”

One person who nominated Ted for inclusion in the Hall of Fame wrote, “If ever — if ever — a student athlete embodied the superlative characteristics of what a true Pirate can be at the highest level, it was Ted Day.

“His athletic prowess, his work ethic non pareil, his personal code of conduct on and off the playing field, have been matched by very, very few who ever wore the purple and gold.”

Ted Day. He should be in the East Carolina University Athletic Hall of Fame.