Robinson, Payton, Rice to be among first black college hall of famers

By Leon Stafford

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Three months after announcing intentions to establish a hall of fame for players from the nation's traditionally black universities, leaders with the Black College Football Hall of Fame have named their first inductees.

Grambling State head coach Eddie Robinson, Jackson State running back Walter Payton and Mississippi Valley State wide receiver Jerry Rice headline an inaugural class, whose members being announced today.

The Atlanta-based hall, the brainchild of pro football quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams, is a virtual, online tribute to the players (www.blackcollegefootballhof.org). However, organizers hope to have a small space in the College Football Hall of Fame, which is moving to Atlanta from Indiana in South Bend, Ind.

That building is expected to open in 2012.

Eight players, two coaches and one contributor are included in the first class. An induction ceremony is set for Feb. 20 at Four Seasons Atlanta.

Inductees include Buck Buchanan (defensive end, Grambling State), Willie Galimore (running back, Florida A&M), David Jones (defensive end, S.C. State & Mississippi Valley State) and Willie “Honey Bear” Lanier (linebacker, Morgan State).

Also being inducted are Ben Stevenson (running back, Tuskegee), Paul "Tank" Younger (running back/defensive back, Grambling State), Alonzo “Jake” Gaither (head coach, Florida A&M) and Bill Nunn, Jr. (Pittsburgh Courier journalist and NFL scout.)