by Abel M. Salas On October 14th, Abraham Lincoln High School students, athletes, faculty, parents, alumni, athletic program boosters, neighborhood residents and several special guests celebrated the legacy of Lincoln High graduate and legendary African American sports figure Kenny Washington (August 31, 1918 – June 24, 1971) with a commemoration  program that has become a yearly tradition. From the sidelines and the bleachers facing the gridiron overlooking Broadway Ave. near Mission Road, a home field crowd cheered loudly for their cherished Tigers in a dramatic match with the visiting Franklin High Panthers. Referred to locally as the “Battle of the Big Cats,” the game brings the long-standing North East Los Angeles rivals together for an emotionally charged, yet amicable contest of skill, strategy and raw talent. It is the most important game of the regular season for both teams. In 2011, the annual duel became even more significant as the first ever Kenny Washington Me...