The National Football League continued its HBCU initiative – Strength of HBCUs, Impacting Pro Football Since 1948 – this past Sunday at Super Bowl LI in Houston when all 29 Pro Football Hall of Famers from HBCUs were recognized before kickoff.. The initiative’s goal is to celebrate and honor the history and impact HBCUs and their players have had on the game, while working to increase career opportunities for students and athletic administrators at these institutions.
The program kicked off the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl this past December, as the inaugural NFL Careers in Football Forum introduced 80 students and entry-level athletic department administrators from the 23 MEAC and SWAC institutions to career opportunities in professional football. The event featured panel discussions with NFL and club executives, resume and skill building workshops, and a behind-the scenes look into football operations on game day.
VIDEO: HBCU Pro Football Hall of Famers Introduced at Super Bowl LI
NFL Films Video: Legacy and Impact of HBCUs in Pro Football
Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductees From HBCU Schools
| LEM BARNEY | Jackson State |
| ELVIN BETHEA | North Carolina A&T |
| MEL BLOUNT | Southern University |
| ROOSEVELT BROWN | Morgan State |
| WILLIE BROWN | Grambling State |
| BUCK BUCHANAN | Grambling State |
| HARRY CARSON | South Carolina State |
| WILLIE DAVIS | Grambling State |
| RICHARD DENT | Tennessee State |
| BOB HAYES | Florida A&M |
| CLAUDE HUMPHREY | Tennessee State |
| LEN FORD | Morgan State |
| BOB HAYES | Florida A&M |
| KEN HOUSTON | Prairie View A&M |
| CHARLIE JOINER | Grambling State |
| DEACON JONES | Mississippi Valley State |
| LEROY KELLY | Morgan State |
| WILLIE LANIER | Morgan State |
| LARRY LITTLE | Bethune Cookman |
| WALTER PAYTON | Jackson State |
| JERRY RICE | Mississippi Valley State |
| SHANNON SHARPE | Savannah State |
| ART SHELL | University of Maryland Eastern Shore |
| JACKIE SLATER | Jackson State |
| JOHN STALLWORTH | Alabama A&M |
| MICHAEL STRAHAN | Texas Southern |
| EMMITT THOMAS | Bishop |
| AENEAS WILLIAMS | Southern University |
| RAYFIELD WRIGHT | Fort Valley State |
