[5] Citizens of Greenville raised the money for his college tuition, making him the first player ever recruited to Furman University.

[7] Speer was a running back, playing quarterback and halfback on Billy Laval's Furman Purple Hurricane.

Speer was selected All-Southern quarterback by Atlanta Journal sporting editor Morgan Blake in 1919.

[9] From the halfback position, he helped lead the 1920 team to a 9–1 record, outscoring opponents 286–16[10] and losing only to SIAA champion Georgia.

[11] Speer coached at Greenville High School for 21 years, taking his team all the way to the state final in 1938 and 1944.