Inductees of the Black College Football Hall Of Fame
Quarterback, Tennessee State University (1977-1980)
- Ranks second at Tennessee State in Career Passing Yards (8,653).
- Record as a starter was 25-7.
- Threw for 30 touchdowns in 1980 and 75 in his career.
- Selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 12th round of the 1981 NFL draft.
- Played in the Canadian Football League (Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Argonauts and Ottawa Rough Riders.
Halfback … Philander Smith College (1958-1961) … Selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 13th round of the 1961 NFL Draft … Green Bay Packers (1961–1969) … Los Angeles Rams (1970) … New Orleans Saints (1970) … Green Bay Packers (1971) … 11-year NFL veteran … Specialized in returning punts and kickoffs while playing both running back positions … Quickly became Captain of Special Teams under Coach Vince Lombardi … Born February 3, 1938.
Offensive Lineman … Florida A&M University (1971-1973) … 1974 Senior Bowl participant … Selected in the first-round of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders … Played with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders for 13 seasons (1974-1986) … Three-time Super Bowl Champion (XI, XV, XVIII) … Two-time Pro Bowler … FAMU Sports Hall of Fame … Born September 26, 1951.
Defensive Back … Tennessee A&I (now Tennessee State University) … (1965-1968) … 1968 CFB All-American … Selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first-round of the 1969 AFL Draft … Kansas City Chiefs (1969-1975) … New Orleans Saints (1977) … 1969 AFL Defensive Rookie of the Year … Super Bowl IV Champion (1970) … Two-time Pro Bowler … For his career, Marsalis intercepted 15 passes for 116 yards, six fumble recoveries and one sack … Born October 10, 1945.
Coach … Winston-Salem State University (1988-1992) Southern University (1993-2009) … Compiled a record of 169–76–1… Won three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference championships … Richardson never had a losing season while at WSSU … During his 17 years as head coach at Southern, the Jaguars football teams won five Southwestern Atlantic Conference Championships, including a three-peat from 1997-99 … Four black college national titles (1993, 1995, 1997 and 2003) … Four Heritage Bowl titles … 12-5 in the Bayou Classic … Born October 17, 1946.
Defensive Back … Grambling State University (1979-1982) … All-Southwestern Athletic Conference … Selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third-round of the 1983 NFL Draft … Kansas City Chiefs (1983-1993) … Oakland Raiders (1994-1998) … Four-time Pro Bowler … Two-time First-team All-Pro… 482 career tackles, 42 interceptions, 12.5 sacks and one touchdown …Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame … Born October 6, 1960.
Quarterback … Elizabeth City State University (1965-1968) … Four-year starting quarterback … All-CIAA Team his senior year with 114 of 204 passes for 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns … Led the Vikings to an 8–1 record. … Signed with the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent … Los Angeles Rams (1969–1972) … Philadelphia Eagles (1976-1979) … Inducted into the ECSU Hall of Fame on October 25, 1985 … Born October 4, 1947.
Defensive Back … Alcorn State University (1978-1980) … Recruited to Alcorn State University by BCFHOF Inductee Marino Casem … All-SWAC 1st Team Defensive honors …NAIA All-District Team … 1979 SWAC Championship … Signed as free agent by the Chicago Bears (1981-1985) … Two-time Super Bowl Champion (Chicago Bears, Super Bowl XX, as a player; Indianapolis Colts, Super Bowl XLI, as a coach) … Played 65 career NFL games with 20 interceptions, two fumble recoveries, two touchdowns and one sack… Born April 3, 1959.
Offensive Lineman … Florida A&M University (1976-1979) … Led Florida A&M to an 11-0 season and was named by the Pittsburgh Courier as Black College co-champion as a sophomore … Three-time All-America (1977, 1978, 1979) … Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 12th round of the 1980 NFL Draft … Played three seasons in the NFL and three in the United States Football League … Born January 13, 1958.
The Clarion Ledger's first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) reporter, the paper's first black sportswriter and a journalist later known around the country as the dean of black college sportswriters 1978–1985 … USA Today Sports Writer 1986-2007 … Founding Member of and President of the SWAC Alumni Association … Born December 8, 1948 … Died January 9, 2020.
Offensive Lineman … Florida A&M University (1979-1982) … All Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tackle (1980) … Washington Football Team (1983) … Tampa Bay Bandits (1984-1985) … Dallas Cowboys (1986-1998) … Six-time Pro Bowler (1992-1996, 1998) … Two-time All-Pro … Carolina Panthers (1999) … Born December 20, 1961.
Coach … Morris Brown College 1930-1935, 1937-1939, 1941-1942; Prairie View A&M University 1945-1957 and 1952-1965 … His record at Morris Brown was 65–21–13 … His 1941 team was named "Black College National Champions" by Pittsburgh Courier … His career record at Prairie View A&M University was 126–36–8, the winningest coach in school history … Nicks led the Panthers to five black college national titles and six Southwestern Athletic Conference titles … Born August 2, 1905 … Died November 2, 1999.
Tight End … Livingstone College (1987-1990) … Finished his college career with 103 receptions, 1,268 yards and 18 touchdowns … Selected by the New England Patriots in the 1991 NFL Draft … New England Patriots (1991-1999) … Five-time Pro Bowler … Two-time All-Pro … Baltimore Ravens (2000) … Super Bowl XXXV Champion … Born August 16, 1969.
Running Back … Morris Brown College … Black College National Champion (1940) … Moody accumulated 290 total points and set a record for black college football players which stood until 1948 … All-American … Born 1917 … Died 1995.
Wide Receiver … Grambling State University (1972-1975) … First-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection (1973) and (1975). As a senior, White caught 37 passes for 802 yards and 17 touchdowns… Selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 1976 NFL Draft … Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year … UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year award … Two-time Pro Bowl selection in 1976 and 1977… Minnesota Vikings (1976–1985) … 128 career games, 393 receptions, 6,400 receiving yards, and 50 touchdowns … Born March 16, 1954.
Wide Receiver … Alcorn State University (1995-1998) … Finished his college career with 88 receptions for 1,993 yards … Five-time “Athlete of the Year” … Selected by the Green Bay Packers 7th round of the 1999 NFL Draft … Green Bay Packers (1999 - 2012) Four-time Pro Bowler … Super Bowl XLV Champion … Green Bay Packers franchise leader for receptions and yards … Born February 2, 1975.
Punter … Florida A&M University (1972-1975) … Selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 14th round of the 1976 NFL … Cincinnati Bengals (1976) Cleveland Browns (1977) … Minnesota Vikings (1978-1987) … Washington Football Team (1988) … Earned the nickname "Coffin Corner" … First African American Punter in NFL history … Selected by the fans to the Viking 40th Anniversary team … Born September 9, 1954.
Coach … Virginia Union University (1971 - 1983) and (1995-2003), Norfolk State University (1984 - 1992), Saint Paul’s College (2005-2010) Virginia University of Lynchburg (2011 – 2013) … Compiled a record of 238–169–7 … Won seven Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference championships … Bailey never had a losing season between 1971 and 1983 … His Virginia Union Panther football teams made five straight appearances in the Division II football playoffs (1979 - 1983) … Born June 3, 1939
Offensive Lineman … Texas Southern University (1959-1962) … Three-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection … Selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 11th Round of the 1963 NFL Draft … Baltimore Colts (1963) … New York Jets (1963-1976) … Los Angeles Rams (1977) … Super Bowl III Champion … AFL Champion (1968) … Four-time AFL All-Star … Three-time All AFL … Eight-time Pro Bowler … Three-time All-Pro … AFL All-Time team… Started 197 consecutive NFL games … NY Jets Ring of Honor… Born October 23, 1941.
Safety and Defensive Back … Alcorn State University (1977-1979) … Three-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference performer … NAIA All-American … Sheridan Broadcasting Network Defensive Player of the Year … Finished college career with 20 interceptions, 144 tackles, and 48 pass deflections … Selected by the Eagles in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft … Philadelphia Eagles (1980 – 1988) … Played in Super Bowl XV … Pro Bowl Selection (1981) … Born December 1, 1957.
Defensive Lineman … Jackson State University (1962-1966) … Signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent … Dallas Cowboys (1967) … Los Angeles Rams (1968-1972) … San Diego Chargers (1973 – 1975) … Cincinnati Bengals (1976-1977) … Washington Football Team (1978-1981) … USFL Washington Federals (1983) … Three-time All-Pro … In 1976 led the NFL with 21.5 sacks … Born August 30, 1942.
Tight End … Alcorn State University … (1973 – 1976) … Selected by the Houston Oilers in the third-round of the 1977 NFL Draft … Houston Oilers (1976) … Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978-1989) … Detroit Lions (1986-1987) … Philadelphia Eagles (1987-1989) … Four-time Pro Bowler … For his career, Giles caught 350 passes for 5,084 yards and 41 touchdowns … Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor … Born November 8, 1954.
Defensive Back … Grambling State University (1972-1975) … A three-time All-American … A three-time All-SWAC performer … Finished his career ranked number two all-time at Grambling and in the SWAC with 26 interceptions … Selected by the Detroit Lions with the 10th overall pick in the 1976 NFL Draft … Detroit Lions (1976-1982) … 1976 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year runner up … Led Lions in interceptions 1976, 1977, 1980 ... Finished his NFL career with 27 career picks … Born March 8, 1954 in Silsbee, Texas.
Offensive Lineman … Central State University (1987-1990) … Helped Central State win the NAIA National Championship in 1990 … All-American lineman … Selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 3rd Round of the 1991 NFL Draft … Cowboys (1991-2000) … Baltimore Ravens (2001) … Four-time Pro Bowl selection … Three-time All-Pro … Three-time Super Bowl Champion XXVII, XXVIII, XXX … Born September 7, 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Coach … Howard University (1983), Virginia Union (1984-1991), Hampton University (1992-2007), Florida A&M University (2008-2012) … Taylor compiled a career record of 232-97-4 and won four black college football national championships (1995, 2004, 2005 and 2006) … He also won six MEAC titles (1997-1998, 2004-2006, and 2010) and four CIAA titles 1986, 1992-1994) … He was a four-time MEAC Coach of the Year (1997) and (2004-2006).
Defensive End … Alabama A&M University (1999 - 2002) … A four-year starter for the Bulldogs … He set an NCAA I-AA record with 20 sacks during his senior season … Drafted in 2003 by the Indianapolis Colts … A five-time Pro Bowl selection … Super Bowl XLI Champion … Led the league in sacks in 2013 with 19.5 … 2013 AFC Defensive Player of the Year … Finished his NFL career with 527 tackles, 52 forced fumbles and 123 sacks … Born Feb 26, 1981 in Atlanta, Georgia
Quarterback … North Carolina Central University (1985-1988) … Four-time All CIAA performer … First freshman quarterback to pass for over 3,000 yards in a season … Set school, conference and Division II records for career passing completions (690), career passing yards (10,621), career total offense (10,667) consecutive games throwing a touchdown pass (22) and most touchdowns responsible for (106) career touchdown passes (86) … He broke 15 NCAA Division II career records and held eight NCAA Division II single-season records … Born in June 6, 1967 in Fayetteville NC.
Commissioner … Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (2002-Present) … Hampton University Athletic Director (1990-2002) … As Director of Athletics at Hampton University, was awarded the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Athletics Director-of-the-Year Award for the Southeast Region in 2002 … Under his leadership, Hampton won 17 CIAA Division II championships between 1990 and 1995 and 11 MEAC championships between 1996 and 2002 ... As MEAC commissioner, negotiated a multi-million dollar TV contract with ESPN and NIKE for the MEAC-member institutions … Instrumental in the creation of the Celebration Bowl.
Defensive End … Central State University (1992-1994) … A two-time NAIA Division I All-American … Made 42 sacks in 32 games in a three-year collegiate career … Led his team to an NAIA national championship in 1992 … Selected by the New York Jets with the 16th overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft … NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1995) … Jets (1995-1997) … Philadelphia Eagles (1998-2002; 2004) … Jacksonville Jaguars (2003) … Three-time Pro Bowl Selection … Two-time First Team All-Pro … Born on August 23, 1971 in Mansfield, Ohio.
Running Back … Winston-Salem State University (1976-1979) … Led the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in rushing and scoring three seasons … Three-time CIAA Offensive Player of the Year … Two-time Division II All-American … Under head coach Bill Hayes, Newsome led the Rams to undefeated seasons in 1978 and 1979 … Selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 6th Round of the 1980 NFL Draft … Cowboys (1980-1988) … CIAA Hall of Fame … Winston-Salem State University Athletic Hall of Fame … Born May 17, 1958 in Ahoskie, North Carolina.
Jarvis Christian College (1924-1926), Bishop College (1927-1929), Texas College (1931-1935), Southern University (1936-1961) … Led the Southern Jaguars football team to five black national championships … All-time winningest football coach at Southern … Won or shared 11 SWAC Championships at Southern … Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001 … Also coached Southern to the 1941 black national championship in basketball … Retired with a record of 195-104-2 … Born November 26, 1898 … Died April 28, 1962
Wide Receiver … Grambling State University (1967-1970) … Helped Grambling to the 1968 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title … In 1969, led Grambling in rushing and receiving yards … Scored 42 total touchdowns in college … Three-time All-SWAC at receiver … Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1st Round of the 1971 NFL Draft (8th overall pick) … Steelers (1971-1977) … Buffalo Bills (1978-1983) … 13 seasons … Pro Bowl selection (1981) … Two-time Super Bowl Champion … Born July 4, 1947 in Houma, Louisiana.
Running Back … University of Maryland Eastern Shore (1962-1965) … Two-time First Team All-American … MEAC Hall of Fame … Selected by the New York Jets in 6th round of the 1966 AFL Draft … Also selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 7th round of the 1966 NFL Draft … Jets (1966-1975) … 10 seasons … Two-time AFL All-Star … All-AFL (1967) … Led league in rushing touchdowns (1967) … Won an AFL Championship (1968) and Super Bowl III … Member of the New York Jets Ring of Honor and the College Football Hall of Fame … Born on July 4, 1943 in Augusta, Georgia.
Wide Receiver … Delaware State University (1983-1985) … Scored 42 touchdowns at Delaware State, including 15 his senior season, both Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) records … Holds MEAC record for most career points (254) … MEAC Offensive Player of the Year in 1985 … Selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 3rd Round of the 1986 NFL Draft … 49ers (1987-1995) … Two-time Pro Bowl Selection … Three-time Super Bowl Champion … NFL 1980s All-Decade Team … Delaware Sports Hall of Fame … Born March 31, 1962 in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey.
Defensive End … Southern University (1962-1965) … Was a standout on both sides of the football and on the track team, where he won the NAIA Shot-Put competition in 1962 … Still holds the Louisiana collegiate record for Shot-Put (58’ 1”) … Undrafted free agent … Oakland Raiders (1966) … Denver Broncos (1967-1972) … Cleveland Browns (1972) … Seven seasons … Three-time Pro Bowl Selection … Three-time First Team All-Pro … Finished career as the Broncos all-time leader in sacks … Inaugural member of the Broncos Ring of Fame … Born July 22, 1941 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Wide Receiver … Southern University (1967-1970) … Began collegiate career as a walk-on … Member of the SWAC Hall of Fame … Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in 7th round of the 1971 NFL Draft … Eagles (1971-1983) … Dallas Cowboys (1984) … 14 seasons … Four-time Pro Bowl Selection … NFL receptions leader (1973) … NFL 1970s All-Decade Team … Retired as the Eagles' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and total touchdowns (79) … Born on September 22, 1949 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Linebacker … Langston University (1971-1974) … Started collegiate career as a walk-on … Led Langston to 11-2 record and NAIA playoff berth in 1973 … Two-time NAIA All-American … Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year (1974) … Selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 18th overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft … Cowboys (1975-1979) … Also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Oilers and Miami Dolphins … seven seasons … NFL Pro Bowl selection (1978) … Super Bowl Champion (1977) … Born on March 1, 1953 in Austin, Texas.
Winston-Salem State University (1976-1987), North Carolina A&T University (1988-2002) … Won four CIAA titles at Winston-Salem State … Ranked as the #1 team in Division II after consecutive undefeated regular seasons … As head coach of the Aggies, Hayes won three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) titles and made two Division I-AA playoff appearances … 1988 National Coach of the Year … Retired with a record of 195-104-2 … All-time winningest football coach at both schools … Born June 1, 1943 in Durham, North Carolina.
Defensive Back … Grambling State University (1977-1980) … Named to Kodak 1-AA All-American Team and Black College All-American Team … Led nation with 11 interceptions as a senior … Signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 1981 … Cowboys (1981-1989) … New York Giants (1990-1992) … Cleveland Browns (1992-1993) … 14 seasons … Four Pro Bowl selections … First Team All-Pro (1983) … Led the NFL in interceptions three seasons … Super Bowl Champion (1990) … SWAC Hall of Fame inductee … Born December 28, 1959 in Dallas, Texas.
Running Back … Lincoln University (1951-1954) … Started every game and led the Blue Tigers to undefeated seasons in 1952 and 1953 … Still Lincoln’s all-time career leader in 4,457 rushing yards and 64 touchdowns … Selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 1955 NFL Draft, but elected to play in the Canadian Football League … Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1955-1966) … 12 seasons … Six-time All-Pro selection … Canadian Football Hall of Fame … College Football Hall of Fame … Born February 4, 1933 in Des Moines, Iowa … Died August 30, 2013.
Linebacker … Fort Valley State University (1984-1987) … Three-time All-SIAC selection … As a senior, was selected as the SIAC Player of the year … First Team SBN All-American … Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 6th Round of the 1988 NFL Draft) … Steelers (1988-1997) … Carolina Panthers (1998) … 11 seasons … Five Pro Bowl selections … Three-time All-Pro (1993-1995) … Two-time Steelers Team MVP … Member of the Steelers All-Time Team … Born May 26, 1965 in Miami, Florida.
Tight End … Morgan State University (1966-1969) … Member of Morgan State’s 1968 undefeated team, scoring the Bears’ only touchdown in their historic victory over Grambling at Yankee Stadium … Member of 1970 College All-Star team … Selected by the Oakland Raiders with the 24th overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft … Raiders (1970-1972; 1978-1981) … Baltimore Colts (1973-1977) … NFL Rookie of the Year (1970) … Four-time Pro Bowl Selection … Super Bowl Champion (1980) … Born on June 28, 1948 in Cambridge, Maryland.
Cheyney University (1972-1978), Central State University (1981-1993), Florida A&M University (1994-2004) and Miles College (2007-2010) … Won five consecutive Black college football national championships (1986-1990) … Won two NAIA National Football Championships (1990, 1992) … Finished coaching career with 243 wins, second only to Eddie Robinson among coaches at black colleges … College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2007) … As a player, was 1963 AFL Rookie of the Year with the Denver Broncos … Born October 14, 1940 in Aynor, South Carolina.
Linebacker … Southern University (1967-1970) … As a senior, was selected All-American by The Sporting News, Associated Press and TIME Magazine … Selected by the Los Angeles Rams in 1st round, 10th overall pick (1971 NFL Draft) … Rams (1971-1978) … Buffalo Bills (1979-1982) … 12 seasons … NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1971) … Six Pro Bowl selections … Four-time All-Pro (1973-1976) … Was one of the NFL's fastest linebackers, running a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash … Born August 17, 1949 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Defensive Lineman … Tennessee State University (1988-1989) and South Carolina State University (1990-1991) … Selected by the Detroit Lions in 1st round, 26th overall pick (1992 NFL Draft) … Lions (1992-2004) … 13 seasons … Three-time Pro Bowl selection … Three-time First Team All-Pro (1997, 1999, 2001) … Detroit Lions all-time leader in sacks (95.5) … Detroit Lions Annual Man of the Year Award is named in honor of Porcher … Born July 30, 1969 in Wando, South Carolina
Quarterback … Mississippi Valley State University (1972-1975) … Led the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in total offense three seasons … NAIA All-Star Team (1972) … Two-time Black College All-American … SWAC Hall of Fame (Inaugural Class) … Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 7th round (1976 NFL Draft) … Buccaneers (1976-1977) … New England Patriots (1978) … Born March 14, 1953 in Brighton, Alabama.
Defensive Lineman … Grambling State University (1971-1974) … Selected by the San Diego Chargers with the eighth overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft … Chargers (1975-1983) … San Francisco 49ers (1984-1985) … 11 seasons … NFL All-Rookie Team (1975) … Four Pro Bowl selections … Two-time All-Pro (1980, 1981) … Super Bowl Champion (1984) … San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame … College Football Hall of Fame … Born August 31, 1952 in Shreveport, Louisiana … Died August 4, 2010.
Wide Receiver … Jackson State University (1964-1967) … Two-time First Team All-SWAC … Led the SWAC in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns two different seasons … Selected by the Los Angeles Rams in 12th round of the 1968 NFL Draft … Spent 16 seasons in the NFL with five different teams (Rams, Eagles, Patriots, Vikings, Seahawks) … Five-time Pro Bowl Selection … First Team All-Pro (1973) … Twice led NFL in receiving yards … Retired with 10,372 receiving yards, second most in NFL history at the time … Born January 6, 1946 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Wide Receiver … Texas Southern University (1966-1969) … New Orleans Saints (1970) … Houston Oilers (1971-1981) … 12 seasons … Selected by the New Orleans Saints in 1st round, 10th player overall (1970 NFL Draft) … Two-time Pro Bowl Selection … Two-time All-Pro (1975, 1977) … Led NFL in receiving in 1973 … Last NFL player to ever wear “00” on jersey … Born July 14, 1948 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Wide Receiver … Prairie View A&M University (1961-1964) … Kansas City Chiefs (1965-1975) … 11 seasons … Selected by the Chiefs in 5th round (1965 AFL Draft) … Three Pro Bowl selections … Two-time All-Pro (1971, 1972) … First Team All-AFL (1966) … Second Team All-AFL (1967) … Two-time AFL Champion … Super Bowl Champion (1970) … Prairie View A&M University Sports Hall of Fame … Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame … Born August 11, 1942 in Houston, Texas.
Defensive Tackle … Elizabeth City State University (1961-1964) … Two-time All-CIAA defensive end (1963, 1964) … Dallas Cowboys (1965-1978) … 14 seasons … Selected by the Cowboys in 11th round, 145th player overall (1965 NFL Draft) … Two-time Super Bowl Champion (1972, 1978) … All-Pro (1968) … Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame … North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame … National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame … Born July 3, 1944 in Windsor, North Carolina … Died January 7, 2015.
NFL Scout … Texas Southern University … Pro football's first black full-time scout … Wells' success was a catalyst for the older league to try to get up to speed in signing talented black players from small colleges, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities as the AFL had done from its inception … No less than eight of Wells' recruits made All-AFL during their pro careers … Served as adviser and confidant to Muhammad Ali … Born in 1924 … Died September 12, 2005.
Cornerback … Bishop College (1962-1965) … Kansas City Chiefs (1966-1978) … 13 seasons … Five-time Pro Bowl selection … Two-time First Team All-Pro (1974, 1975) … Two-time Second Team All-Pro (1969, 1971) … Three-time Super Bowl Champion (1970 as a player; 1987 and 1991 as a coach for the Washington Redskins) … Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame … Pro Football Hall of Fame (2008) … Born June 3, 1943.
Cornerback/Free Safety … Southern University (1989-1990) … Arizona Cardinals (1991-2000) … St. Louis Rams (2001-2004) … 14 seasons … Selected by the Cardinals in 3rd round (1991 NFL Draft) … Eight Pro Bowl selections … Four-time All-Pro (1995-1997, 2001) … Bart Starr Man of the Year Award (1999) … NFL’s 1990’s All Decade Team … Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor … St. Louis Rams 10th Anniversary Team … St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame … Pro Football Hall of Fame (2014) … Born January 29, 1968 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Coach … Jackson State University (1977-1991) … Won 8 SWAC Championships (1980-1982, 1985-1988, 1990) … Played college football at Tennessee State University (1948-1952) … Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a Coach (2008) … Career coaching record is 118 wins, against 47 losses with 5 ties … Born June 30, 1930 in Nashville, TN.
Defensive End … Tennessee State University … Chicago Bears (1983-1993), San Francisco 49ers (1994), Chicago Bears (1995), Indianapolis Colts (1996), Philadelphia Eagles (1997) … 15 seasons … Selected by Bears in 8th round, 203rd player overall (1983 NFL Draft) … Named All-Pro five times … Elected to four Pro Bowls … Two time Super Bowl Champion (XX, XXIX) … Super Bowl XX MVP … Member of 100 sacks club (137.5 career sacks) … Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame (2011) … Born December 13, 1960 in Atlanta, GA.
Defensive Tackle … University of Maryland Eastern Shore … Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame (2009) … NAIA All-American (1958, 1959) … Detroit Lions (1960-1966), Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (1967-1969) … 10 seasons in NFL … Selected by Lions in 4th round, 42nd player overall (1960 NFL Draft) … NFL Pro Lineman of the Year (1962) … Elected to six Pro Bowls … Member of the Rams “Fearsome Foursome” … Born May 1, 1937 in Surry County, VA.
Defensive Back … Florida A&M University … Played quarterback for FAMU … Rhodes Scholarship candidate … Cincinnati Bengals (1969-1983) … 14 seasons … Selected by Bengals in 6th round 135th player overall (1969 NFL Draft) … Converted to DB … Named All-Pro four times … Retired with fourth most career interceptions (65) … 65 interceptions and five TD returns are Bengals team records … Florida High School Association All-Century Team member … Born August 6, 1947 in Bartow, FL.
Defensive Tackle … Grambling State University … Attended Grambling State University on a basketball scholarship before playing football … San Diego Chargers (1961-1965), Houston Oilers (1966-1967), Kansas City Chiefs (1967-1968) … 8 seasons … Selected by Chargers in 15th round 119th player overall (1961 AFL Draft) … AFL Title (1963) … Four time AFL All-Star … Named All-Pro three times … Member of Chargers Hall of Fame … Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame (1995) … Born November 28, 1938 in Rayville, LA … Died March 10, 2007.
Two time 1st Team All-SWAC and SWAC Defensive Player of the Year … Black College Defensive Player of the Year (1992) … Holds TSU Record with 41.5 career sacks … New York Giants (1993-2007) … 15 seasons … Selected by Giants in 2nd round, 40th pick overall (1993 NFL Draft) … Elected to seven Pro Bowls … Named All-Pro six times … NFL record for sacks in a season (22.5) … NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2001) … Super Bowl XLII Champion … Named to 2000s NFL All-Decade Team … Retired with 141.5 career sacks … Named to Giants Ring of Honor … Born November 21, 1971 in Houston, TX.
First Team All-American in 1984 … Set more than 50 Division I-AA passing records … Team averaged 59 points per game … Threw for a record 58 touchdowns in one year … Division I-AA’s all-time leader and ranks second in career passing yards (12,711) and single-season passing yards (4,557 in 1984) … Twice led the nation in passing efficiency … Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame (2005) … Buffalo Bills (1987) … One season … Played a season in CFL (Toronto Argonauts), and three seasons in Arena Football League (1988-1989, 1991) … Born July 4, 1962 in Leflore County, MS.
Three time All-CIAA honoree … Kodak All-American (1969) … #63 retired by North Carolina Central University (1970) … Inducted into North Carolina Central University Hall of Fame (1984) … One of fastest lineman to play the game (9.8sec 100yd dash) … Houston Oilers (1970), San Diego Chargers (1971-1984) … Selected by Oilers in 1st round, 14th pick overall (1970 NFL Draft) … Elected to three Pro Bowls (1981-1983) … Inducted into San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame (2000) … Named to Chargers 40th and 50th Anniversary Teams … Born March 27, 1947 in Fayetteville, NC.
Won seven SWAC Championships at Alcorn State. Four time Black College National Champion (1968, 1969, 1974, 1984) … 1984 team finished as Number One team in all of Division I-AA football, the first ever for a HBCU … Resigned from Alcorn to become Athletic Director at Southern … Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (2003) … Career coaching record is 159 wins, against 93 losses with 8 ties … Born June 23, 1934 in Memphis, TN.
Inducted into SWAC Hall of Fame (1995) … Inducted into Jackson State Hall of Fame (2003) … Houston Oilers (1975-1984) … 10 seasons … Selected by Oilers in 1st round 6th player overall (1975 NFL Draft) … 1975 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year … Elected to seven Pro Bowls … Named All-Pro six times … Named to 1970s NFL All-Decade Team … Retired with 1,281 tackles which ranks 2nd All-Time in Oilers/Titans record book … Born February 7, 1953 in Mobile, AL.
MSU Bears won the 1962 CIAA Championship with Kelly leading team in rushing, scoring and punting … Cleveland Browns (1964-1973) … 10 seasons … Selected by Browns in 8th round, 110th player overall (1964 NFL Draft) … 1964 NFL Champion with Browns … NFL Rushing Champ in 1967 and 1968 … Led NFL in touchdowns from 1966-1968 … Elected to six Pro Bowls … Named All-Pro five times … Named to 1960s NFL All-Decade Team … Won Burt Bell Award (1968) … Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame (1994) … Born May 20, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA.
Two-time All-SIAC performer (1972-1973) … Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1987) … 14 seasons … Selected by Steelers in 4th round, 82nd player overall (1974 NFL Draft) … Played in six AFC Championships and won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII and XIV) … Elected to three Pro Bowls and was twice the Steelers MVP … Scored a touchdown in eight straight playoff games (NFL record) … NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1984) … Named to Steelers All-Time Team and 50th Season All-Time Team … Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame (2002) … Born July 15, 1952 in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Sharpe emerged as a standout football player, garnering several accolades during his collegiate years... From 1987 to 1989, he earned recognition as a three-time All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection and was named the SIAC Player of the Year in 1987... Additionally, he received the honor of being selected as a Kodak Division II All-American in 1989 and secured three consecutive Pittsburgh Courier Black College All-American titles from 1987 to 1989... Under his leadership, the Tigers' football team achieved their best records in program history: 7-3 in 1988 and 8-1 in 1989... In the 1990 NFL draft, Sharpe was drafted in the seventh round by the Denver Broncos... He remained with the Broncos until 1999, earning two Super Bowl victories... During his two-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, he contributed to another Super Bowl triumph... Sharpe's remarkable career was marked by eight Pro Bowl appearances (1992-1998, 2001) and he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in three different seasons... Across his 14-year career, he accumulated 815 receptions for 10,060 yards and 69 touchdowns in 203 games... In 2011, he was deservedly inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Inducted into Pittsburgh Courier Black College Football All-American (3x) during his time at North Carolina A&T University... Drafted as an offensive lineman in the third round of the 1968 AFL/NFL draft by the Houston Oilers... Spent his entire 16-year NFL career with the Houston Oilers, playing in 210 games with a streak of 135 consecutive appearances... Selected to the Pro Bowl eight times... Led the team in sacks six times, accumulating a total of 105 unofficial sacks... Holds the record for most sacks in a season (16 in 1973), which remains the best in Oilers/Tennessee Titans history... Retired with three team records: most seasons (16), most career regular season games played (210), and most consecutive regular season games played (135)... Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
During his time at Prairie View A&M, Ken Houston initially played as a center before transitioning to become the starting linebacker in the Southwestern Athletic Conference... Recognized as an All-American and showcased his talent as an all-conference performer in his senior year... Selected by the Houston Oilers in the ninth round of the 1967 AFL-NFL draft... After six seasons with the Oilers, he was traded to the Washington Redskins in 1973... Achieved the remarkable feat of being named a Pro Bowl selection for 12 consecutive seasons, from 1968 to 1979... Throughout his career, he amassed 49 interceptions, 21 fumble recoveries, and scored 12 touchdowns... Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
During his collegiate career, led TSU to consecutive Black College National Championships in 1970 and 1971... Passed for 5,213 yards and 50 touchdowns... Established himself as one of the most popular players in Tennessee State history... Earned the nickname "Jefferson Street Joe" due to his name resonating along historic Jefferson Street near the TSU campus... Recognized as an All-American in 1970 and 1971... Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 11th round of the 1972 NFL Draft... Made an immediate impact with the Steelers, assuming the role of starting quarterback in 1974 and guiding the team to a 4-1-1 start.
During his time at Jackson State University, Jackie Slater excelled in football, earning several notable achievements... He was selected to the Southwestern Athletic Conference All-Star Game on three occasions, and in his senior year, he garnered recognition as a first-team All-America selection... In 1976, Slater was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round... He became a starter for the Rams in 1979, and that very season, the team reached Super Bowl XIV... In 1980, he played a crucial role in an offensive line that surrendered just 29 sacks, contributing to the Rams' offense finishing second in the NFL in total yards gained with 6,006... In 1983, Slater and the Rams' offensive line allowed a league-low 23 sacks... Throughout his career, he was honored as the National Football League Players Association NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year on four occasions: 1983, 1986, 1987, and 1989... Slater played in a remarkable 259 games from 1976 to 1995, setting a record for offensive linemen... He became the first player to play 20 seasons for one team... His outstanding contributions earned him seven Pro Bowl selections throughout his NFL career... In 2001, Slater was rightfully enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Coach John Merritt began his head coaching career at Jackson State from 1953 to 1962, where he achieved a commendable record of 60-32-4... However, his greatest success came during his tenure as the head coach at Tennessee State from 1963 to 1983, amassing an outstanding record of 172-33-7... Remarkably, five of his teams finished unbeaten, and an additional five teams lost just one game... The Pittsburgh Courier recognized his teams as the Black College National Champions on seven occasions... Under Merritt's guidance, 144 of his players transitioned to professional football, including notable names such as Eldridge Dickey, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Joe Gilliam, Jr., and Claude Humphrey... Throughout his 31-year coaching career, Merritt achieved an overall record of 232-65-11... In recognition of his contributions, John Merritt Boulevard in Nashville was named in his honor... He was rightfully inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
Played college football at Prairie View A&M University from 1951 to 1955... Quarterbacked the Prairie View Panthers for three years under legendary head football coach Billy Nicks... Led the team to 33 victories in 37 games in the Southwestern Athletic Conference... Recognized as a two-time Pittsburgh Courier Black College Football All-American in 1953 and 1954... Stood at 6'2" and weighed 205 pounds, known for his strong passing skills... Guided the Prairie View Panthers to Conference Championships in 1952, 1953, and 1954, and secured two Black College National Championships in 1953 and 1954... Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 16th round of the 1955 NFL Draft... Became the first HBCU alumnus to play quarterback in the NFL, making his debut on October 23, 1955... Although he played only one game in the NFL, his contribution made a historic mark, becoming the first HBCU Alumnus to play Quarterback in the NFL.
Charlie Joiner, during his college years, experienced consistent success, winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship every year... As a member of the Grambling Tigers, he contributed to an impressive record of 31-9-1, including a remarkable 9-1 campaign in 1967 that resulted in a Black College National Championship... Serving as a prominent receiver for GSU from 1966 to 1968, he accumulated 2,066 yards... Led the team in touchdowns in 1966 and 1967, received the Outstanding Offensive Player award in the 1968 Little Rose Bowl, and was named first-team All-SWAC three times... Selected in the fourth round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers... After brief stints with the Oilers and Bengals, he found his home with the San Diego Chargers, where he played for 11 seasons... Earned three Pro Bowl selections... Concluded his 18-season AFL/NFL career with 750 receptions, 12,146 receiving yards, and 65 touchdowns... Retired as the then-NFL leader in career receptions, yards, and games played by a wide receiver... Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
Standing at an imposing 6'9", Jones excelled at TSU, earning the distinction of being a two-time All-American defensive lineman... Contributed to two Black College Football National Championship teams in 1971 and 1973... Concluded his collegiate career ranked third in school history for sacks in a season with 12 and fifth in career sacks with 38... In 1974, he made history by being drafted as the number one overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys, becoming the first player from a historically black college program to achieve this feat... he Became a key member of the renowned "Doomsday Defense" squad of the 1970s... Retired in 1989 after an impressive 15 seasons with the Cowboys... Accumulated a total of 106 sacks throughout his career... Earned three Pro Bowl selections from 1981 to 1983... Played a crucial role in helping the Cowboys win Super Bowl XII.
Charlie Neal embarked on his broadcasting career as a disc jockey in the 1970s, eventually transitioning to television as a sportscaster... Throughout his career, he worked for various affiliates in prominent markets such as Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.... Neal's broadcasting repertoire encompassed hosting NBA halftime and post-game shows, as well as providing commentary for gymnastics and track and field events at the inaugural Goodwill Games in Moscow in 1986... His notable tenure spanned 23 years with BET, where he served as the lead commentator for Historically Black College and University (HBCU) sports... In 2005, Neal joined ESPN, primarily assuming the role of play-by-play announcer for HBCU football and basketball telecasts on ESPNU.
Wright gained recognition as a remarkable athlete despite his size and made a significant impact on the field... After showcasing his skills at Fort Valley State, he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1967 as a tight end... However, Wright transitioned to the right tackle position after three years and went on to play 166 games in that role... He made appearances in six NFC Championship games and five Super Bowls, winning two of them (Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII)... Wright played a crucial role in anchoring the offensive line, contributing to an offense that finished in the top 10 in scoring throughout the entire 1970s... Additionally, he played a pivotal role in paving the way for the first five 1,000-yard rushers in Dallas Cowboys history... In an era where the right tackle held great significance as the key player on the offensive line, Wright broke the mold for individuals of his size... In recognition of his outstanding career, he was rightfully inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Richardson emerged as one of the most celebrated players in the storied history of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)... He earned numerous honors throughout his collegiate career, including being selected as a four-time member of the Pittsburgh Courier Black All-America team... Richardson's remarkable performances also earned him recognition as a three-time All-SWAC performer and a two-time NAIA All-America recipient... In his final two seasons, he led Jackson State to a SWAC title and a Black College National Championship... Richardson displayed his prowess on the field, catching 171 passes for 36 touchdowns, while also contributing as a safety on defense... In the professional ranks, Richardson was drafted in the seventh round by the Baltimore Colts... Over the course of eight seasons with the Colts and Dolphins, he amassed 195 receptions for 25 touchdowns.
A former director of personnel and scout for the Philadelphia Eagles, Graves made a huge impact on Black College Football. Graves was a pioneer in bringing qualified players from the HBCU system to the professional ranks. He was recently selected to the Ourlads’ Scout Hall of Fame.
During his college career, he played a pivotal role in leading the Hawks to an impressive overall record of 28-1-1, while boasting an average of 21.6 points per game... Under his leadership, they secured two CIAA championships in 1955 and 1957... Known for his versatility, he excelled on both offense and defense, earning him selection to the Little All-American Team by the Pittsburgh Courier and the All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Team in 1957... Notably, he became the first player from an HBCU to be chosen to play in the nationally recognized College All-Star Game... He holds the distinction of being the only professional football player to have won all three championships: an NFL, AFL, and Super Bowl Championship... Throughout his 11 seasons in professional football, Sample made significant contributions, recording 41 interceptions, which he returned for 460 yards and four touchdowns... Additionally, he recovered 13 fumbles, returning them for 61 yards... On special teams, he showcased his skills, returning 68 punts for 559 yards and a touchdown, along with 60 kickoffs for 1,560 yards and a touchdown... In 1961, Sample led the NFL in punt return yards.
During his time at Grambling, Brown excelled in both split end and outside linebacker positions, earning varsity letters for all four years... He was a valuable member of Coach Eddie Robinson's first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship team in 1960... Despite going undrafted after college, Brown went on to have a remarkable career as the only NFL player to intercept at least one pass in 16 consecutive seasons... Throughout his 12-year tenure with the Oakland Raiders, he made appearances in three AFL and six AFC championship games, in addition to Super Bowls II and XI... Brown remains highly regarded as one of the premier cornerbacks of all time... With a total of 54 interceptions, he retired as one of the game's elite defensive players... In 1984, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Abbott served as the eighth head football coach for the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers in Tuskegee, Alabama, holding the position for an impressive 32 seasons, from 1923 to 1954... His tenure at Tuskegee was marked by remarkable achievements, including a football coaching record of 202 wins, 97 losses, and 27 ties... This positions him as the leader in total wins at the school and ranks him fifth in winning percentage with a .661 mark... Alongside his football coaching duties, Abbott was also a Hall of Fame track coach... Throughout his career, he celebrated six undefeated seasons and guided the team to six black college football national championships... In recognition of his contributions, the football stadium at Tuskegee bears Abbott's name.
Humphrey, during his time at Tennessee State University under Coach John Merritt, stood out as an All-American lineman... His contributions were instrumental in leading the Big Blue Tigers to an impressive 35-3-1 record from 1965 to 1967... Notably, the 1967 team secured the national championship for HBCUs... Humphrey's exceptional performance earned him a first-round selection in the 1968 NFL Draft, chosen third overall by the Falcons... Throughout his career, he attained the prestigious honor of being named to the Pro Bowl on six occasions... His remarkable achievements included accumulating 126½ career sacks, achieved with both the Falcons and the Eagles.
McNair showcased his exceptional talent during his standout seasons with Alcorn State... In 1992, he displayed his skills by throwing for 3,541 yards and 29 touchdowns, while also rushing for an additional 10 scores... The following year, McNair continued his impressive performance as the Braves improved their record to 8-3... He recorded over 3,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, earning him First-Team All-SWAC honors for the third consecutive year... In his senior season, McNair reached remarkable heights, accumulating nearly 6,000 yards both rushing and passing, along with an impressive 53 touchdowns... Notably, he received the prestigious Walter Payton Award as the top I-AA player and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting... McNair set career records for the Football Championship Series with 14,496 passing yards, as well as the division record for total offensive yards with 16,283 career yards... In the 1995 NFL Draft, he was selected by the Houston Oilers with the third overall pick... During his ten-year tenure as a full-time starter, McNair led the Tennessee Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV.
Dickey excelled at Tennessee State University, earning the distinction of being a three-time HBCU All-American... Throughout his collegiate career, he amassed impressive stats, recording 6,523 passing yards and 67 touchdowns... Dickey was recognized for his exceptional athleticism, excelling at multiple positions, most notably as a quarterback and punter... Notably, he possessed the unique ability to throw precise passes with both his left and right arm... Under Dickey's leadership, the 1966 TSU team achieved their first undefeated, untied season and secured their first National Black College Football Championship... In 1968, he was drafted in the first round by the Oakland Raiders.
Carson showcased his exceptional talent at South Carolina State University under the guidance of Coach Willie Jeffries from 1972 to 1975... Throughout his collegiate career, he displayed remarkable durability, not missing a single game in four years... As a standout player, he became the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) athlete to win consecutive Defensive Player of the Year honors... Carson played a pivotal role in assisting SC State to consecutive conference championships... In 1975, he established school records with 117 tackles and 17 sacks... Serving as captain, Carson led the Bulldogs defense to an impressive six shutouts and a remarkable feat of holding opponents to just 29 points, setting an NCAA record for a ten-game season... In the 1976 NFL Draft, Carson was selected in the fourth round by the New York Giants... He dedicated his entire 13-season professional career to the Giants, leading the team in tackles for five seasons and serving as their captain for ten seasons... Carson retired at the end of the 1988 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
With Harris at quarterback, Grambling achieved tremendous success, winning or sharing all four Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) titles... In the 1967 Orange Blossom Classic, he was honored as the Most Valuable Player (MVP)... During his senior year, Harris showcased his skills by passing for 1,972 yards and 21 touchdowns on just 225 attempts... As the starting quarterback for Grambling, he led the Tigers to an impressive 24-5-1 record over three years... Harris went on to be drafted by the Buffalo Bills, making history as the first black player to start a season at quarterback... In 1974, he led the Los Angeles Rams to an NFC Western Division title and secured their first playoff victory since 1951... Harris also became the first African-American quarterback to start a conference championship game... His exceptional performance earned him a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl team in 1974, where he was recognized as the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Jeffries experienced remarkable success throughout his esteemed 29-year coaching career, achieving three Black National Championships, seven Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships, and compiling an impressive record of 179-132-6... He devoted 19 years to his alma mater, South Carolina State University (SCSU), in two separate stints, as well as five years each at Wichita State University and Howard University... Jeffries' achievements solidified his position as the "winningest coach" in the 107-year history of SCSU, and he holds the distinction of having the most MEAC victories of any coach... Notably, he broke barriers as the first African American head coach of a NCAA Division I-A football program.
Shell showcased his exceptional skills on both offense and defense during his time at Maryland Eastern Shore... His remarkable performances earned him three All-Conference selections and recognition as an All-America player for two years, as acknowledged by the Pittsburgh Courier and Ebony Magazine... In the 1968 NFL Draft, Shell was drafted by the Oakland Raiders, marking the beginning of his professional career... Throughout his time with the Raiders, he consistently displayed his prowess, earning first- or second-team All-Pro honors for six consecutive years, from 1973 to 1978... Shell's impressive contributions also resulted in his participation in eight Pro Bowl games, as well as the Raiders' victories in Super Bowl XI and XV. He was later a two-time head coach for the Raiders. He holds the distinction of becoming the second African American head coach in the history of professional football and the first in the sport's modern era. Shell was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
Banks concluded his illustrious career at Morgan State with an impressive .839 win-loss percentage, solidifying his status as a highly successful coach... He achieved the remarkable feat of leading the nation in total defense on two occasions... Over the course of his 14-year tenure at Morgan State, Banks attained numerous noteworthy accomplishments... These included three unbeaten seasons, a remarkable 31-game win streak, three unbeaten regular seasons, five CIAA conference championships, and four bowl game appearances... His coaching prowess earned him the CIAA Coach of the Year honors in 1962, 1965, and 1966.
Following his playing days at Grambling State, Davis showcased his durability and exceptional skills throughout his 12-year professional career, never missing a game out of a possible 162 games... Known for his ability to disrupt opposing ball carriers and quarterbacks, he often caused losses or forced turnovers... Davis demonstrated his knack for recovering opponents' fumbles, accumulating 21 recoveries during his career, falling just one short of the record at the time of his retirement... His outstanding performances earned him All-NFL selections five times in six years, from 1962 to 1967, and he was chosen to play in five consecutive Pro Bowls... Davis' tenure with the Packers was marked by remarkable success, including five NFL championships and six divisional titles in eight seasons.
Barney, during his college career at Jackson State University, earned three all Southwestern conference honors and recorded an impressive 26 career interceptions... In the 1967 NFL Draft, he was selected in the second round by the Detroit Lions, making an immediate impact as he was named the defensive rookie of the year... Throughout his career, he established himself as a standout player, earning the distinction of being selected to seven Pro Bowls... Barney concluded his career with an impressive 56 interceptions... Additionally, he made significant contributions on special teams, gaining over 1,000 yards returning kickoffs and punts... Notably, in Barney's first professional start, he intercepted the first pass thrown his way by Green Bay's Bart Starr and returned it for a touchdown.
Nicholson earned the moniker of the "man with the Golden Pen" due to his remarkable contributions as the Sports Information Director during his 30-year career... He played a pivotal role in garnering national attention for Grambling State University's football program... Nicholson's resourcefulness allowed for extensive travel opportunities for his football teams, showcasing the program's talent across the nation... Among his notable accomplishments, he successfully sold an impressive 64,000 seats at Yankee Stadium in 1968 for a game against Morgan State... In 1974, he orchestrated the relocation of the annual game between Grambling and Southern University to New Orleans, naming it the Bayou Classic, which became a sold-out event year after year... Nicholson's innovative mindset extended to international platforms, with Grambling playing games in Japan in 1976 and 1977... His pioneering marketing strategies for the university's athletic programs set new trends in the industry.
Blount, during his time at Southern University, achieved notable recognition, earning two selections to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) all-conference team... His exceptional performance during his junior year led to him being named the SWAC Most Valuable Player (MVP)... In the 1970 NFL Draft, Blount was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the fifty-third overall pick... Throughout his career, he showcased his skills and talent, leading the NFL in interceptions in 1975 with an impressive eleven interceptions... He was deservedly awarded the NFL Defensive MVP for that year... Blount played an instrumental role in helping the Steelers secure four Super Bowl victories and made appearances in five Pro Bowls, with his outstanding performance earning him MVP honors in the 1976 game... Notably, he displayed exceptional durability, playing in 200 games and missing only one over the course of his impressive 14-season career. Blount was rightfully inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
Brown, during his time at Morgan State University, left an indelible mark on the game with his exceptional physique, standing at an imposing 6'3" and weighing 255 pounds... His agility and quickness on his feet, particularly remarkable for his era, set him apart from his peers... In the 1953 NFL Draft, Brown was selected in the 27th round, and his impact in the professional league was nothing short of extraordinary... He earned the distinction of being named to the Pro Bowl an impressive nine times, contributing to the Giants' NFL Championship victory in 1956... For eight consecutive years, he was unanimously recognized as an All-NFL choice, and he received the honor of being named to nine Pro Bowls in total... In 1975, Brown's exceptional contributions to offensive line play earned him the prestigious distinction of being only the second player to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame based solely on his merits as an offensive lineman.
Kendall left an indelible mark on black college football during the 1930s, showcasing his exceptional skills while leading Kentucky State to a national championship in 1934... His outstanding performances earned him the distinction of being a three-time First Team All-America selection from 1934 to 1936, as recognized by the Pittsburgh Courier... In recognition of his remarkable contributions, Kendall was rightfully inducted into the Kentucky State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1975... He achieved an impressive overall record of 29-7-3 during his tenure at KYSU... Notably, Kendall holds the distinction of being the first person from Kentucky State University to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Williams concluded his collegiate career at Grambling State University with an impressive record of 36-7 as a starting quarterback... His exceptional performances on the field earned him the distinction of being a first-team All-American, and he achieved a notable fourth-place finish in the 1978 Heisman Trophy voting... In that same year, Williams was selected in the first round (17th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers... However, his most notable achievements came during his time with the Washington Redskins, where he led the team to victory in Super Bowl XXII, becoming the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl... Williams delivered an outstanding performance in the championship game, completing 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards and four touchdown passes, earning him the well-deserved title of Super Bowl XXII MVP.
Hayes achieved a remarkable feat as the only individual to have won both a Super Bowl ring and an Olympic Gold medal... His exceptional speed propelled him to become one of the nation's top wide receivers during his time at Florida A&M University... In the 1964 NFL Draft, Hayes was selected in the eighth round by the Dallas Cowboys, making an immediate impact on the franchise... In his rookie year, he became only the second player in Cowboys history to surpass 1,000 yards receiving in a single season... Throughout his impressive 11-year career, Hayes maintained an impressive average of 20 yards per catch... Notably, he held franchise records for both career touchdowns and yards per catch average.
Walter Payton came out of Columbia, Mississippi, to star at Jackson State. He broke into the starting lineup as a freshman in 1971. He was a complete football player-- one who could run the ball, block, tackle, pass, catch passes, and kick. In that freshman year he gained 614 yards rushing and 65 yards passing. He scored seven touchdowns and kicked three field goals and 13 extra points. As a sophomore in 1972, he had his biggest scoring day against Lane College. He ran for seven touchdowns and two two-point conversions. In 1973 and 1974 he made every All-American team picked for college division or division I-AA teams (FCS). In both years he was voted Black College Player of the Year. He finished his career at Jackson State with 464 points and 3,563 yards rushing. The point total was a modern record for college football. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry for four years. Payton, 6-0 in height and 205 pounds, joined the pros in 1975. He played 13 years with the Chicago Bears and set a pro rushing record of 16,726 yards. He was honored in 1987 with the founding of the Walter Payton Award, given each year to the leading player in I-AA football.
"Big Ben" was discovered one day while working on a Kansas farm. Coach Cleve Abbott persuaded Stevenson to join him at Tuskegee that fall. His first years at Tuskegee were spent as a prep-schooler. This allowed Stevenson to play eight seasons for the Golden Tigers, a span where he suffered only two defeats. Ben combined speed (9.8 100-yard dash), strength and durability. He had the ability to out-run, over-power or elude tacklers. In his first season he scored on a combination of long runs and drop kicks. He also played defensive back, earning a reputation as one of the top pass thieves in the conference. The Tigers went 9-0 and claimed the first of six national championships. The following year they again were undefeated. In 1926, title aspirations came down to a game against Lincoln, where Stevenson came back from an injury to score all of his team's points in a 20-16 victory. Over his seven-year career, he scored 42 touchdowns on runs of 50 yards or more, and was named to seven consecutive Black College All-America teams. He was named to numerous Negro all-time All-America teams and was voted as the game's greatest all-around player. While at Tuskegee he studied under George Washington Carver, earning a Bachelors and later a Masters degree before beginning a coaching career on the collegiate and high school levels.
A look at the team photo of the 1974 Steelers, winners of Super Bowl IX, illustrates Nunn’s influence. In the picture are 11 players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including three future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Mel Blount, Donnie Shell and John Stallworth. Nunn was integral in the Steelers finding talented players from HBCUs, giving the team an advantage over others in the NFL at that time.
Nunn, a standout basketball player at West Virginia State, spurned tryout offers from the New York Knicks and Harlem Globetrotters to join his dad at The Pittsburgh Courier, a national, Black-owned newspaper with a circulation of more than 400,000 at its peak. As sports editor, he regularly covered HBCU sporting events, making inroads at the schools no one else matched. Each fall, he compiled the definitive “Black College All-America” team, an honor the Courier first launched in 1950. He was a one-man selection committee, and his choices carried tremendous influence.
Willie Galimore had four brilliant years at Florida A&M. He was all-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference choice four times and was named black college All-America by the Pittsburgh Courier three times. "Gallopin' Gal" played for Hall of Fame coach Jake Gaither, and the team records were 10-1, 8-1, 7-1-1, and 8-1 totaling 33-4-1. The Rattlers won four conference championships and one black college national championship. In Galimore's biggest game he rushed for 295 yards and four touchdowns against Tennessee State in 1956. He had rushing totals of 187 yards against Morris Brown and 159 aginst Xavier (Louisiana) in 1955. He scored 16 touchdowns in 1956. His longest run was 98 yards against Allen in 1956. In four years he gained 3,596 yards rushing. In 1956, he averaged 9.5 yards on every rushing attempt. Willie Galimore was born March 30, 1935, in St. Augustine, Florida. He attended Excelsior High School in St. Augustine. Gallimore played for the Chicago Bears 1957-63.
Junious "Buck" Buchanan was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle with the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League and in the National Football League. Buchanan was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
At Grambling, Younger started off as a tackle, but coach Eddie Robinson soon recognized that Younger's skills better suited him to play in the offensive backfield and at linebacker. Younger earned the nickname "Tank" by deftly plowing over countless would-be tacklers. In 1945, as a freshman, Younger led the nation in scoring with 25 touchdowns. In his junior year, he rushed for 1,207 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. Younger also completed 43 of 73 pass attempts, 11 for touchdowns. When he graduated in 1948, his NCAA career total of 60 touchdowns (scored mostly on punt returns and end-around plays) was an all-time record. After his senior season, he was voted Black College Football's Player of the Year and named a member of the 1948 Pittsburgh Courier All-America team.
David D. "Deacon" Jones was an American football defensive end who played in the National Football League for 14 seasons. He played for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980. Jones specialized in sacks, a term that he coined.
The San Francisco 49ers used their first round draft pick in 1985 on wide receiver Jerry Rice from little known Mississippi Valley State. It did not take long for that decision to pay huge dividends.
Rice gave a glimpse of what was to come when he averaged 18.9 yards per catch on 49 receptions for 927 yards and 3 TDs as a rookie. He also rushed six times and scored one touchdown on the ground.
In 1986, Rice recorded a season that began perhaps the finest stretch by any receiver in NFL history. That year, he caught 86 passes for a league-leading 1,570 yards. He also led the NFL in touchdown catches with 15. It marked the first of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons for Rice who also recorded double-digit receiving touchdown totals in nine of the next 10 seasons.
The following year, Rice set the NFL record for touchdown receptions in a season with 22. His first of four seasons with 100 catches came in 1990 when he had an even 100 receptions to lead the NFL in that category. It marked the first of two receiving titles for Rice.
He led the NFL in receiving yards six times including a NFL record 1,848 yards in 1995. Rice also led the NFL in touchdown receptions six times.
No wide receiver in NFL history played more than Rice’s 20 seasons. By the time he retired after finishing his career with Oakland and Seattle, he was the most prolific wide receiver in NFL history with staggering career totals.
He owns virtually every significant receiving mark. Some of the more notable career records include receptions (1,549); receiving yards (22,895 yards); most 1,000-yard receiving seasons (14); total touchdowns (208); and combined net yards (23,546).
Rice has a hold on multiple NFL playoff and Super Bowl records. He played in eight conference championships and four Super Bowls. He earned three Super Bowl rings with the 49ers and was named the Most Valuable Player of San Francisco’s Super Bowl XXIII win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Rice, who was named first-team All-Pro 11 consecutive seasons and voted to 13 Pro Bowls, is also a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Teams of the 1980s and 1990s and NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Morgan State University
Eddie Gay Robinson Sr. was an American football coach. For 56 years, from 1941 to 1942 and again from 1945 to 1997, he was the head coach at Grambling State University, a historically black university in Grambling, Louisiana.