PHS Football to retire Charles Spencer's jersey at home opener Sept. 4

On Sept. 4, Poughkeepsie High School will honor its most accomplished football player of the past half-century.

The Pioneers on that date will retire the jersey of Charles Spencer Jr., who played for the Houston Texans in 2006 and spent time with three NFL franchises.

The Poughkeepsie native and Texas resident will be in attendance on Sept. 4, when Poughkeepsie hosts Hyde Park in its 7 p.m. season-opening game.

"Big Junie," a 2000 Poughkeepsie graduate, earned a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh, where he transformed from a defensive lineman into one of the nation’s top offensive linemen, earning Second Team All-Big East honors his junior and senior seasons. 

Spencer was selected 65th overall in the NFL Draft by the Texans. He started the first two games of the 2006 season at left tackle but suffered a broken leg and could not fully recover. Still, in the years since, Spencer has remained deeply committed to impacting others through leadership, mentorship and community service, using his platform as a former NFL player to serve as an advocate for youth development, mental health awareness. Locally, he continues to serve as an inspiration to young athletes, as one of only two Poughkeepsie graduates, along with Monty Stickles in 1960, to play in the NFL.

We’ll share more details of the planned ceremony in the coming weeks. Please plan to join us for this special night.