South Atlanta High School Retires Jersey of Football Legend

The Atlanta Public Schools all-time leader in career rushing yards and career rushing touchdowns, Keyjuan “Bama” Brown, was celebrated with a jersey retirement ceremony at his alma mater South Atlanta High School.

Brown joins a short list of South Atlanta legends to have their jersey retired, and he’s the first football player to be immortalized by the school. He joins former Mr. Georgia Basketball, Vincent Banks (’03), and former National High School Basketball Player of the Year, Derrick Favors (’09).

“Keyjuan “Bama” Brown walked through the doors of South Atlanta High School in 2019, and from the very beginning, he never looked back,” South Atlanta High School athletic director Micheal Reddick said. “He embraced every challenge head-on. His work ethic, his dedication, and his competitiveness were second to none.”

During his football career at South Atlanta, Bama received numerous awards, including Region Offensive Player of the Year, Region Player of the Year, First Team All-State (2020, 2021, 2022), and was placed on the AJC Super 11 Team.

Brown is also near the top of the record books in almost every Georgia High School Athletic Association (GHSA) rushing category. He has the third most rushing yards in a single playoff game (418 yards), which is also top 20 for most rushing yards in a single game. He’s in the top 20 in GHSA history for career rushing touchdowns (84) and rushing touchdowns in a single season (38).

In 2021, Brown led the state with 2,757 rushing yards (#15 in GHSA history). He rushed for 2,706 yards the following season, which is still a top 20 GHSA single-season rushing record (#18). After his senior season, Brown finished his career with 7,476 rushing yards and in the top 10 (#7) of all-time rushers in GHSA history.

For his excellence on the field, South Atlanta High School is proud to celebrate his accomplishments and retire his jersey with the other Hornets legends. Brown currently attends the University of Louisville and is in his third season with the Cardinals.

“Georgia is considered a football state by many,” Reddick said. “The history here runs deep, and it takes something extraordinary to carve your name into that history. What he accomplished on the field has made him nothing less than legendary.”