A Selma native died over the Memorial Day weekend.

Otis Washington, a high school football player and coaching legend in Louisiana, died Friday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the age of 80. Funeral services will be held Friday in Baton Rouge

Otis Washington, Ted Washington, A.A. Sewell and Charles Williams were known during grammar school in the Queen City as the “Four Amigos.” They graduated from R.B.Hudson High School in 1957, with Otis Washington being the Class President. Otis Washington was the last surviving member .

Nancy Sewell and Penny Williams, widows of Sewell and Williams, said they remained close until their deaths.

“They were best friends and I joined them when I became head majorette at R.B. Hudson,” Penny Williams said. “They were great football players and stayed close throughout the years.”

“Otis and his family came down to Selma last year and spent the Fourth of July weekend with my family,” Nancy Sewell said.

Washington earned a football scholarship at Xavier University during the late 1950’s and became a standout. Washington captained Xavier’s final football team in 1959 and earned all-conference honors in football and baseball. When the university dropped sports, the school honored Washington’s scholarship and he graduated in 1961.

After college graduation, Washington remained in the Pelican State and became an assistant coach at St. Augustine High School. Washington spent eight years as an assistant coach and became the school’s head coach in 1969 until 1979.

Washington guided the Purple Knights to Class AAAA state titles in 1975, 1978 and 1979. In 11 years as St. Augustine’s head coach, Washington had a stellar record of 113-17, Catholic League titles and produced over 120 college football players.

“He was a passionate, innovative leader who helped establish the standard for St. Augustine athletics,’’ St. Augustine president and CEO Dr. Kenneth St. Charles said in a press release. “Coach Wash shaped St. Augustine football into a program that reflects his dedication to discipline, teamwork, scholarship, and excellence both on and off the field.”

Washington later became the first African-American assistant coach at LSU in 1980, coaching the offensive line. He was Southern University’s football head coach from 1981 to 1986.

Washington was inducted into several Hall of Fames: Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame, Allstate Sugar Bowl Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame, New Orleans Prep Hall of Fame and St. Augustine Hall of Fame.