Black College Hall of Fame Finalists

The Black College Hall of Fame announced yesterday the 25 Finalists for the 2019 Hall of Fame Class. The list includes 22 players and three coaches. A 12-member selection committee selected the 25 Finalists from a field of over 150 nominees. The committee will meet again in the coming weeks to select the six members (five players and one coach) who will be inducted into the Back College Hall of Fame on February 16, 2019 in Atlanta.

PLAYER FINALISTS (22 Players)

• Joe “747” Adams (QB, Tennessee State University, 1977-1980)

• Coy Bacon (DL, Jackson State University, 1964-1967)

• Dwaine Board (DE, North Carolina A&T State University, 1975-1978)

• Emerson Boozer (RB, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 1962-1965)

• Greg Coleman (P, Florida A&M University, 1972-1975)

• Kevin Dent (S, Jackson State University, 1985-1988)

• Hugh Douglas (DE, Central State University, 1991-1994)

• Donald Driver (WR, Alcorn State University, 1995-1998)

• Earl “Air” Harvey (QB, North Carolina Central University, 1985-1988)

• James Hunter (DB, Grambling State University, 1972-1975)

• Richard “Tombstone” Jackson (DE, Southern University, 1962-1965)

• Henry Lawrence (OL, Florida A&M University, 1970-1973)

• Frank Lewis (WR, Grambling State University, 1967-1970)

• Robert Mathis (LB, Alabama A&M University, 1999-2002)

• Tyrone McGriff (OL, Florida A&M University, 1976-1979)

• John “Big Train” Moody (RB, Morris Brown College, 1939-1941)

• Timmy Newsome (RB/KR, Winston Salem State University, 1976-1979)

• Nate Newton (OL, Florida A&M University, 1979-1982)

• John Taylor (WR, Delaware State University, 1982-1985)

• Johnny Walton (QB, Elizabeth City State University, 1965-1968)

• Erik Williams (OL, Central State University, 1987-1990)

• Roynell Young (DB, Alcorn State University, 1976-1979)

COACH FINALISTS (3 Coaches)

• Willard Bailey (Head Football Coach, Virginia Union 1971-1983 and 1995-2003; Norfolk State 1984-1992; St. Paul’s 2005-2010; Virginia-Lynchburg 2011-2013)

• Arnett “Ace” Mumford (Head Football Coach, Jarvis Christian 1924-1926; Bishop College 1927-1929; Texas College 1931-1935; Southern University 1936-1961)

• Joe Taylor (Howard University 1983; Virginia Union 1984-1991; Hampton University 1992-2007; Florida A&M University 2008-2012)

***

The players that went on to solid, even great, NFL careers stand out on this list.

Coy Bacon
Dwaine Board
Emerson Boozer
Greg Coleman
Hugh Douglas
Donald Driver
"Tombstone" Jackson
Frank Lewis
Robert Mathis
Nate Newton
John Taylor
Erik Williams
Roynell Young

But it's their college careers that get them into this Hall of Fame.

As a Minnesota Vikings fan, it's great to see former Vikings punter and current sideline reporter Greg Coleman make it to this stage of the process. He was arguably the best punter in Vikings team history. He certainly had the longest run at the position. It isn't even close if his career on the media side of the game is included in his Vikings career.

Rich "Tombstone" Jackson has to be honored in someone's Hall of Fame. He's on a very long list of players deserving of at least consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Coy Bacon too. And Robert Mathis when he's eligible.

I never saw him play but I heard a lot about the passing talents of Joe "747" Adams. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 12th round of the 1981 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, he played quarterback at a time when few coaches gave blacks a legitimate shot at the position. Not finding an opportunity with an NFL team, Adams played a few years in the CFL.

About the Black College Football Hall of Fame

The Black College Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 by African-American pioneers, quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There have been 77 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees.