July 15, 1952 Johnny Lee Stallworth, hall of fame football player, was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Stallworth played college football at Alabama A&M University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1974. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1974 NFL Draft and over his 14 season professional […]
Tag Archives | football
Marion Motley – June 27th in African American History
June 27, 1999 Marion Motley, hall of fame football player, died. Motley was born June 5, 1920 in Leesburg, Georgia but raised in Canton, Ohio. After playing college football at South Carolina University and the University of Nevada, Motley joined the United States Navy and played for the Great Lakes Naval Training Station team.
June 18th in African American History – Bruce Bernard Smith
June 18, 1963 Bruce Bernard Smith, hall of fame football player, was born in Norfolk, Virginia. Smith played college football at Virginia Tech where he was All-American in 1983 and 1984 and won the Outland Trophy in 1984 as the nation’s top college lineman. Smith finished his college career as the most honored player in […]
June 6th in African American History – Tommie Smith
June 6, 1944 Tommie Smith, former track and field athlete and professional football player, was born in Clarksville, Texas. Smith won a track scholarship to San Jose State University where in 1966 he set the world record in the 200-meter race. Also at San Jose State, Smith was a co-founder of the Olympic Project for […]
May 30th in African American History – Gale Eugene Sayers
May 30, 1943 Gale Eugene Sayers, hall of fame football player and entrepreneur, was born in Wichita, Kansas. Sayers was a two-time All-American at the University of Kansas where he also earned his bachelor’s degree. Sayers is considered by many to have been the greatest open field runner in college football history. He was selected […]
May 27th in African American History – Jackie Ray Slater
May 27, 1954 Jackie Ray Slater, hall of fame football player, was born in Jackson, Mississippi. Slater played college football at Jackson State University. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1976 NFL Draft and played his entire 20 season professional career with them, making him the first player to play 20 […]
May 23rd in African American History – Jerome Heartwell “Brud” Holland
May 23, 1985 Jerome Heartwell “Brud” Holland, education administrator and diplomat, posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan. Holland was born January 9, 1916 in Auburn, New York. He graduated from Cornell University, where he was the first African American to play on the football team and an All-American in 1937 […]