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DEL.ICIO.USAll-time Black College football team
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you had a choice, who would be the quarterback on your all-time Black College football team? What about the coach?
ESPN has compiled an all-time Black College football team with some of the greatest names in HBCU history. Not surprisingly, the quarterback was Doug Williams, the former Grambling star who finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a senior and later was a Super Bowl MVP for the Washington Redskins.
Here are some other offensive members - RB Walter Payton (Jackson State), WR Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley), T Art Shell (Maryland State) and G Larry Little (Bethune-Cookman).
What about a defensive line of Willie Davis and Buck Buchanan from Grambling, Too Tall Jones from Tennessee State and Deacon Jones from South Carolina State? The coach? No question it was Eddie Robinson, who spent an astounding 56 years at Grambling.
Check out the entire team by clicking here and let me know what you think. Is there anyone that was omitted who should be on the team? State your case.
For more Black College football news and notes, visit the AJC’s HBCU football page by clicking here.
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Comments
By Fan of coaches
November 14, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Eddie Robinson would be the logical choice as the coach, but Jake Gaither and Big John Merritt were pretty good coaches as well. R.I.P. to three great coaching legends!
By Gary Thomas
November 14, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
All three (Robinson, Merritt, Gaither) were great coaches, but Mr. Alonzo Smith (Jake) Gaither is my choice. Jake said he liked his players to be ‘Agile, Mobile, and Hostile.”
By jacob butler
November 14, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
The idea of an All-time HBCU football team is great. However, it would seem as though we might want to consider more than one player at each position. Perhaps a first team, second team, honorable mention-type format is desirable. In this way,players from different eras might receive their proper recognition.
In an earlier era, the SWAC was unquestionably the dominant HBCU football conference, with Grambling being most prominent. Now, with the MEAC as a competing Division I (FCS) conference (some might even say it may now be the dominant football conference) as well as expanded programs in the SIAC and CIAA, having a first, second and honorable mention format might be the best way to recognize these great athletes.
By Leo Willingham
November 14, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
Jacob, The thought of having second and third teams and honorable mention is a good idea. A few players that come to mind for me that probably would land on the second team would be QB Steve McNair of Alcorn State, DT Richard Dent of Tennessee State and TE Shannon Sharpe of Savannah State. Who are some of the most recent Black College stars that you think should receive some props?
By Too Easy
November 14, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Leo: I’m aware of the college accomplishments of some of these players (Payton, Rice, Williams) and certainly the coaches mentioned, but is everyone on the list because of college careers, or because they became great pros? Just asking because I’m an SEC and D-1 fan, and it’s easier to know about those players in college.
By Leo Willingham
November 14, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
That’s a legitimate question. Most of the players on this list went on to have good, if not great, pro careers - and I’m sure some of that figured into the equation. But these players were quite dominant on the collegiate level and many of the people who watched them play - and those who were fortunate enough to play against them - would agree that they were dominant.
By Doug
November 14, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
CB Tyrone Poole - drafted by the Carolina Panthers 22nd OVERALL selection in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fort Valley State. 12 seasons in the NFL. Probably only out-numbered by Darrell Green “Ageless Wonder”). Highest CB drafted from Div II- School until 2008. We will check on Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from TSU in 12 seasons. Oh, almost forgot…throw in 2 Superbowl rings with New England Patriots.
By Leo Willingham
November 14, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Good point Doug. Many good DBs have come from black colleges. Remember Everson Walls, a former walk-on at Grambling who later became an All-Pro in the NFL. And although this person played another position, Greg Lloyd from Fort Valley became a very good NFL linebacker. But this list is more collegiate accomplishments. I think all of us can go on for days listing great NFL players from black colleges, do you agree?
By Good choices
December 5, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Looks like some good choices for the team. In their prime, I would put many of those players up against anyone and would probably win. Anyone from the modern era worthy of being mentioned in this discussion?
By Chuck Stinson
December 5, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Those are some great players but what about Shannon Sharpe from Savannah State. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer at Tight End for sure!!!!!!!
By beleiver
December 6, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
michael strahan has to be on the list from texas southern
By richbrave
December 10, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
MACK ALSTON, TE. 1969. 11th round. Maryland-Eastern Shore. He’s the only one from a HBCU I ever had as a student. Cool dude. Loved LOMBARDI. At least he said he did. Might have been the wine talking, who knows.
Had NORM SNEAD also, but he wasn’t from a HBCU.
By Ryan S
December 12, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
That is a monster squad you have there. In their primes, I would put them up against any teams out there today. What receiver out there today has the work ethics of a Jerry Rice… None.
By TSU Grad
December 12, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
I saw Doug Williams and James Harris play QB at Grambling. Neither one of them could touch Eldridge Dickey of Tennessee State