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 […]
Tag Archives | Pro Football Hall of Fame
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 8th in African American History – Ronald “Ronnie” Mandel Lott
May 8, 1959 Ronald Mandel Lott, hall of fame football player, was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lott player college football at the University of Southern California from 1977 to 1980 and in 1980 was a unanimous All-American. He graduated from USC in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration. Lott was […]
March 26th in African American History – Marcus LeMarr Allen
March 26, 1960 Marcus LeMarr Allen, hall of fame football player, was born in San Diego, California. Allen played college football at the University of Southern California from 1978 to 1981. In 1981, he became the first player in NCAA history to rush for over 2,000 yards in one season. That same year, he won […]
February 26th in African American History – Marshall William Faulk
February 26, 1973 Marshall William Faulk, hall of fame football player, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Faulk played collegiate football at San Diego State University and was a three-time First-team All-American. He skipped his senior year and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1994 NFL Draft. That year he was the NFL […]
February 8th in African American History – Derrick Vincent Thomas
February 8, 2000 Derrick Vincent Thomas, hall of fame football player, died. Thomas was born January 1, 1967 in Miami, Florida. He played college football at the University of Alabama. In 1988, he was named an All-American and won the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in college football.