From the Apopka Historical Society and Museum of the Apopkans
The Apopka Historical Society congratulates Super Bowl champion Jalen Da’Quan Carter for bringing home that Super Bowl victory!
To mark this awesome moment, Maribel Brinkle, President of The Historical Society, presented Carter with a gift that contained two special books, Images of Apopka and the first edition of Celebrating Black Legends in Apopka, detailing a program she created a few years ago in collaboration with Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson, and our wonderful Apopka Historical Society (AHS) Vice President and Historian, Francina Boykin.
Brinkle writes, “We wanted to honor Jalen Carter with these books to remind him of his roots and the rich history of our town that shaped him into the person he is today.”
Carter was also given a postcard of the Mead’s Bottom Mural located by the Hilton Hotel in Apopka, a magnet that reads “Apopka Proud" (a phrase reportedly created by Nelson), and the “I love Apopka” pin designed by our Board members.
The Super Bowl Celebration and block party that was held in Apopka this past weekend celebrated not only Carter’s remarkable athletic achievements but also the discipline and dedication it took to reach such heights. Brinkle pointed out the importance of discipline, a trait that Carter has demonstrated throughout his career.
“Winning a Super Bowl doesn’t happen by accident,” Brinkle said. “It takes years of focus, determination, and sacrifice—qualities that can be applied to any field, not just sports.”
As another way of celebrating Carter, AHS will be adding a new display honoring him in the sports section of the Apopka Museum. The exhibit will feature memorabilia from Carter’s career, including photos and news clippings, alongside displays of other notable sports figures from the community.
AHS invites the public to visit the museum to explore the new exhibit and learn more about the athletes who have brought pride to our community. Whether you’re a sports fan, a history buff, or just curious about the people who have made Apopka special, the museum, and this exhibit in particular, is a great way to get to know Apopka’s athletes better.
As Apopka celebrates one of its own, AHS is proud of keeping our history alive while inspiring the community to dream big and look ahead. With this renewed community spirit, we hope for increased future collaboration to ensure the Museum of the Apopkans continues to thrive and share these vital stories.
Congratulations again to Jalen D. Carter, Super Bowl Champion. What an incredible achievement - we are all still riding that high!
