Robert L. Yates

For other people named Robert L. Yates, see Robert Yates

Early life
Yates was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, to Patricia Ann Manous and Billy Carol Yates. He has Irish and Caddo Indian Ancestry. He was raised in Duncan, Oklahoma by his Mother and Step-Father, Roy Lee Wilkerson along with two brothers and three sisters. Despite being raised in a poor family, he was involved in many church and club activities. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America. As a teen he worked for a time as a lifeguard. Despite struggling as a youth he became an honor student. And was selected as an exchange student to the former Soviet Union with the People to People Student Ambassador Program. With a love of sports he lettered in both Football and Basketball. Receiving Indian All-State Honors in 1991 and was offered a football scholarship from Haskell Indian Nations University, in Haskell, Kansas, the same school his childhood idol Jim Thorpe first attended. He also received an offer to attended USAO in Chickasha, Oklahoma for Artist. However he turned down both offers in 1992 when he graduated Empire High School Empire, Oklahoma and joined the United States Marine Corps.
Career
After two years in the service Yates returned home, soon after he became involved with Semi-Pro Football, first with the Outlawed Aggies of Lawton,Oklahoma then with the Chickasha Predators. Around this same time he started attending Alandin Beauty College, where he met Dawn Lee Young from Franklin, Ohio, they were married Feb. 18,1994. ( They have two children Nickolas Garrett and Brittney Nichol. ) In July of 1995 Robert began working at the Hi-Way Barbershop were he remained until June 2005. Why'll working as a Barber Robert formed the South West Oklahoma Rebels Semi-Pro Football Team based out of Cache, Oklahoma. (www.oklahomarebels.com) He also formed the Oklahoma Football League, which is now known as the Central Football League which covers six states. Robert Coached the Rebels to three semi-pro Championships, being named Coach of the Year twice. In Dec. 2006 he became the first person from the state of Oklahoma to be inducted into the Minor League Football News Hall of Fame.
Hobbies
Yates has been very active in his Community, having served on boards for Football, Wrestling and Baseball. His years of service to youth sports are as followed eight years football, seven years wrestling, eight years between baseball, t-ball, softball.
Fun Facts
He has worked covering both College and High School Football for the Duncan Banner and Daily Oklahoman. He was the game day announcer for one season at Empire High School. Served as mascot for the March of Dimes as Elvis in 1999. Once sang Karaoke with the former Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys Dave Campo.
Most People Don't Know
Yates has had what he describes as a horrible "learning disability" dyslexia since childhood. His mother was once told he would probably never learn to read.
Where is he now
In 2005 Yates began working for Halliburton, he quit in 2006 to take a job with NuFlo a measurement systems company owned by Cooper Cameron where he remains. He retired from Semi-Pro Football in 2006.
Famous Relatives Great, Great, Grandfather Chief Beavers last Chief of the Caddo Nation, also known for his likeness on Big Chief tablet. Step-Great Grandfather William Tate former Kentucky Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Second Cousin Blake Shelton singer. Garth Brooks singer, cousin Carl Ray Brooks was married to Debbie Manous, aunt of Robert L. Yates.

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