Lawrence was born on March 9, 1950, in Stockton, and has resided in the Stockton area since birth. He attended Taft Elementary School (1955-1961); Edison High School (1965-1968); Delta College (1968-1970); and San
Jose State (1970-1972), earning a Bachelor’s Degree.
Lawrence played on the 1968 Central California Conference championship football team as a running back. He was a leader on the team by example and positive attitude. In 1968 he was selected as the CCC 1st team running back; Stockton All-City Player of the Year; Inland Empire All-Star Team/Jesters Award; and to the North/South Shrine Football Game.
He enrolled at Delta College and was a running back there for two seasons. Then on to San Jose State where he also was a running back for three years.
He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers and played for them. He was inducted into the African-American Athletes Hall of Fame in 1989 for his endeavors in football and track, and his contributions to the community.
Lawrence has been coaching sprinters at Bear Creek High School in the Lodi Unified School District. He is also the President of the African-American Athletes Hall of Fame and just oversaw the 33rd induction ceremony in 2019.
When not coaching and assisting with youth camps and clinics, Lawrence is an ad-ministrator at One Way, Inc., a non-profit organization management firm, and is CEO at Covenant Real Estate Investments, Inc.
