November 1, 1999 Walter Payton, hall of fame football player, died. Payton was born July 25, 1954 in Columbia, Mississippi. He played college football at Jackson State University where he was a two-time All-American and two-time Black College Player of the Year. Payton graduated from Jackson State with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
Tag Archives | football
October 28th in African American History – Terrell Lamar Davis
October 28, 1972 Terrell Lamar Davis, former football player, was born in San Diego, California. Davis initially played college football at Long Beach State University and when they ended their football program, he transferred to the University of Georgia. Davis graduated from Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Consumer Economics and was selected […]
October 24th in African American History – Jack Roosevelt Jackie Robinson
October 24, 1972 Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson, the first African American Major League Baseball player of the modern era, died. Robinson was born January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. After graduating from Pasadena Junior College in 1939, Robinson transferred to UCLA where he became the school’s first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports, […]
October 20th in African American History – The Johnny Bright Incident
October 20, 1951 The Johnny Bright Incident occurred when African American football player, Johnny Bright, was violently assaulted by white football player, Wilbanks Smith, during a college football game between Drake University and Oklahoma State University. In 1951, Bright was a pre-season Heisman Trophy candidate and led the nation in total offense. The game marked […]
October 13th in African American History – Jerry Lee Rice
October 13, 1962 Jerry Lee Rice, hall of fame football player, was born in Starkville, Mississippi. Rice played football for Mississippi Valley State University and in 1984 was named to every All-American team. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1985 NFL Draft and in his first year was named Offensive Rookie […]
October 6th in African American History – Anthony Kevin Tony Dungy
October 6, 1955 Anthony Kevin “Tony” Dungy, the first African American head coach to win the Super Bowl, was born in Jackson, Michigan. Dungy played quarterback for the University of Minnesota from 1973 to 1976 and finished his college career as Minnesota’s career leader in passing yards and touchdowns. He earned his Bachelor of Arts […]