Joe was a three-year letterman for Lakeland varsity football and basketball teams. As team captain in 1979, Joe led Lakeland High School to its first district championship and led the team in interceptions that year with 11 which is still a school record. Joe earned a scholarship to play football at Troy University where he graduated with a degree in business marketing. Joe has contributed much time, talent and treasures towards the Dreadnaught Football Century Club. Now residing in Lakeland, Joe and Susan have been married 28 years and have two children Thomas and Julia.