C.L. “Smokey” Boyle†
Inducted 1989
Born: Pettus
High School: Taft High School
Best Known for: Officiating Football
July 27, 1913-Oct. 3, 2004
Boyle has several claims to fame, including a long career as a top-flight football official and fisherman, and being credited by Texas Monthly as the man who coined the long-enduring term Winter Texan.
He graduated from Taft High School in 1928. "Smokey" as he was known acquired the nickname from his semi-pro baseball days.
Boyle worked more than 500 high school and college games in 36 years and was once president of the Valley chapter of the Southwest Football Officials Association. When he hung up the whistle, he was ranked in the highest skill/experience division that organization offers.
Boyle was always known as an expert with the rod and reel who guided innumerable outdoor expeditions and spearheaded wildlife-conservation efforts.
He also owned a chain of auto parts stores and was active in the Texas Baptist Men organization for decades. Boyle began ministry in 1969 with seasonal visitors from the north, calling them Winter Texans, a moniker that quickly become part of the Valley vocabulary.