Throwback Thursday: The First Big Game

The University of  California and Stanford take the field tomorrow for the 123rd playing of the Big Game. The Battle for the Axe. Cal is seeking to keep it. Stanford is trying to get it back. They can't have it. 

The Big Game is one of the great rivalries in college football. It's one game behind Oregon-Oregon State as the most played rivalry in the west and the 12th most played rivalry in the nation. Cal and Stanford started their football rivalry on March 19, 1892. The Big Game name didn't land on the game until the one that was played in 1900.

The first football game was played on the Berkeley campus in 1881. That's when the class of '81 challenged the class of '80. The class of '80 prevailed in a game that more closely resembled rugby than the game that most considered American Football. This game sparked an interest in the sport and games with teams outside the campus. From 1882-85, Cal played a game that resembled English rugby against various club teams from San Francisco. They were in 8-1-2 in these games. It was a fine time but everything changed when Oscar Shafter Howard appeared on the scene. A Californian, he played football at Harvard and graduated in 1885. When he returned to the west coast he brought American Football with him. He sold Cal on the sport and volunteered to coach them and any rugby club in San Francisco who would convert to this new game. What followed was the birth of American Football on the west coast.

Over the next six seasons Cal's football team posted a 20-4-1 record against club team competition. It's all that they had. Stanford decided to change that. Leland Stanford Jr. University was established in 1891. Some Stanford students were interested in starting a football team immediately. In that first fall term those students approached John R. Whittemore seeking his help in organizing a team. Whittemore had attended school in the east and played at Washington. He agreed to help and became the playing coach and captain of Stanford's first football team.

Cal got wind of Stanford's little football team and issued a challenge to meet on Thanksgiving Day for a game. Whittemore knew that there was no way that he could get the Stanford team ready in time and declined the challenge but left the door open for a game in the spring. When the progress of his team met his approval, Whittemore looked to arrange the game. Cal eagerly agreed and a game was scheduled for March 19, 1892 on the Haight Street grounds in San Francisco.

One of the most frequently told stories of the first Big Game was that of Stanford's team manager Herbert C. Hoover. Future President of the United States Herbert C. Hoover. When both teams showed up for the game neither team showed up with a football. The fault for this little issue has always been placed on Hoover. While placing the blame of this significant snafu on a future President might make the story a little more interesting it's not entirely accurate. Why isn't Cal manager Herbert Lang blamed? Or the official, Jack Sherrard. Or anyone from either team. Anyway, there was still the problem of no football. David Goulcher, the owner of a sporting goods store in downtown San Francisco, volunteered to remedy the problem. He set off on horseback and returned with a ball an hour later. The first Big Game kicked off at 4:11 p.m.

Here are the lineups for that first game in this long series.

California
Walter H. Henry, left end
John H. White, left tackle
Newton Wachhorst, left guard
J.C. Pierce, center
Alfred Dubbers, right guard
Henry Hay, right tackle
Arthur H. Mau, right end
Raymond H. Sherman, left half
George H. Foulkes, right half-captain
Guy R. Kennedy, quarterback
Loren E. Hunt, fullback

Stanford
Charles H. Hogg, left end
Ellsworth L. Rich, left tackle
Stewart D. Briggs, left guard
Arthur H. Barnhisel, center
Charles C. Adams, right guard
Claude S. Downing, right tackle
Milton D. Grosh, right end
John R. Whittemore, left half-captain
Paul M. Downing, right half
Thomas K. Code, quarterback
Carl C. Clemans, fullback

Stanford was apparently a real quick study in this new game of football. Or Whittemore was an excellent teacher. It was probably a little bit of both. Cal had been playing this game for about six years. Stanford had been playing it for a few months. Stanford won the first Big Game 14-10.

The second Big Game was also played in 1892. December 17, 1892. That game ended in a 10-10 tie. Those two games kicked off 128 years of football fun.

It would be a lot more fun if Cal could even the all-time series. It currently stands at 64-47-11 in Stanford's favor. That has to change. 

Pro Football Hall of Fame Semifinalists

The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed the 25 modern-era semifinalists for the Class of 2021 on Tuesday. The list is headlined by four players in their first-year of eligibility. The sculpting of the busts and fitting of the spiffy gold jackets has probably commenced on two of them. Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson. They were Heisman Trophy finalists together. They were top four picks in the 1998 NFL Draft. It's only right that they enter Canton together. The other two players in their first-year of eligibility will require some voter debate. Jared Allen and Calvin Johnson. Some voters might see one or the other as a shoo-in but most will meed some convincing. It would've helped Allen's cause if he'd received the Defensive Player of the Year award that he deserved in 2011. 

The list also includes four players who are Semifinalists for the first time although previously eligible for the Hall of Fame. Eric Allen, Willie Anderson, Cornelius Bennett and Rodney Harrison. All other players on the 2021 list have been a Semifinalist at least one other time. 

Modern-era Semifinalists Breakdown

Defense - 15

-3 defensive linemen

-5 linebackers

-7 defensive backs

Offense - 9

-1 quarterback

-1 running back

-4 wide receivers

-3 offensive linemen

Special Teams - 1

Class of 2021 Modern-era Player Semifinalists

The following is the list of 2021 Modern-Era Semifinalists, including their positions, years and teams. Also listed are the number of times and years the candidate has been named a semifinalist since this reduction vote was added to the Bylaws for the Selection Committee in 2004.

Eric Allen, CB – 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)

Jared Allen, DE – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)

Willie Anderson, T – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)

Ronde Barber, CB/S – 1997-2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2018-2021)

Cornelius Bennett, LB – 1987-1995 Buffalo Bills, 1996-98 Atlanta Falcons, 1999-2000 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)

Tony Boselli, T – 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 Houston Texans (injured reserve) | (Times as a Semifinalist: 6 – 2016-2021)

LeRoy Butler, S – 1990-2001 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2018-2021)

Alan Faneca, G – 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals | (Times as a Semifinalist: 6 – 2016-2021)

Rodney Harrison, S – 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)

Torry Holt, WR – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars | (Times as a Semifinalist: 7 – 2015-2021)

Calvin Johnson, WR – 2007-2015 Detroit Lions | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)

John Lynch, FS – 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos | (Times as a Semifinalist: 9 – 2013-2021)

Peyton Manning, QB – 1998-2011 Indianapolis Colts (injured reserved 2011), 2012-15 Denver Broncos | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)

Clay Matthews, LB – 1978-1993 Cleveland Browns, 1994-96 Atlanta Falcons | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2012, 2017, 2019-2021)

Sam Mills, LB – 1986-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2016, 2019-2021)

Richard Seymour, DE/DT – 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2018-2021)

Steve Tasker, ST/WR – 1985-86 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills | (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2004, 2008-2010, 2012-13, 2020-21)

Fred Taylor, RB – 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2020-21)

Zach Thomas, LB – 1996-2007 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2019-2021)

Hines Ward, WR – 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2017-2021)

Reggie Wayne, WR – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2020-21)

Patrick Willis, LB – 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2020-21)

Charles Woodson, CB/S – 1998-2005, 2013-15 Oakland Raiders, 2006-2012 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)

Darren Woodson, S – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2015, 2017, 2019-2021)

Bryant Young, DT – 1994-2007 San Francisco 49ers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2020-21)

***

It's a fine list. The semifinalist list is always a fine list as there are a lot of players that deserve to have their Hall of Fame cases debated by the people that do the selecting. 

The list of Semifinalists was reduced from an initial group of 130 nominees announced in September. The next step in the Selection Process comes when the Semifinalists are trimmed to 15 Modern-Era Finalists. That list increases to 18 Finalists with the inclusion of the recommended nominees of the Hall of Fame’s Coach, Contributor and Senior Committees: Tom Flores, Bill Nunn and Drew Pearson, respectively. The Class of 2021 will be determined and announced during the week leading up to Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Fla. 

If I had a vote, and I should have a vote, my vote might look a little something like this.

Peyton Manning

Charles Woodson

Tony Boselli

Alan Faneca

Patrick Willis

I'd like to fit in one of the receivers. I'd like to fit in LeRoy Butler. As a Minnesota Vikings fan, I'd really like to fit in Jared Allen. This is a tough deal. Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson are automatics. Tony Boselli has been waiting for too long. Alan Faneca has been waiting too long. Patrick Willis shouldn't have waited the single year that he waited. Tom Flores, Bill Nunn, and Drew Pearson will join my modern-era picks to form the following 8-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021. 

Peyton Manning

Charles Woodson

Tony Boselli

Alan Faneca

Patrick Willis

Tom Flores

Bill Nunn

Drew Pearson

Congratulations to all 25 of the Modern-era Semifinalists. 

Flea Flicker Week 11 Power Rankings

Here’s one look at how the 32 teams rank after 11 weeks. 

1.   Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)

2.   Pittsburgh Steelers (10-0)

3.   New Orleans Saints (8-2)

4.   Buffalo Bills (7-3)

5.   Indianapolis Colts (7-3)

6.   Green Bay Packers (7-3)

7.   Tennessee Titans (7-3)

8.   Los Angeles Rams (7-3)

9.   Baltimore Ravens (6-4)

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4)

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-3)

12. Las Vegas Raiders (6-4)

13. Arizona Cardinals (6-4)

14. Cleveland Browns (7-3)

15. Miami Dolphins (6-4)

16. Minnesota Vikings (4-6)

17. New England Patriots (4-6)

18. San Francisco 49ers (4-6)

19. Chicago Bears (5-5)

20. Carolina Panthers (4-7)

21. Detroit Lions (4-6)

22. Atlanta Falcons (3-7)

23. New York Giants (3-7)

24. Philadelphia Eagles (3-6-1)

25. Los Angeles Chargers (3-7)

26. Houston Texans (3-7)

27. Denver Broncos (4-6)

28. Cincinnati Bengals (2-7-1)

29. Washington Football Team (3-7)

30. Dallas Cowboys (3-7)

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9)

32. New York Jets (0-10)

Until next week. 

Cowboys-Vikings

Well, that sucked. 

The Minnesota Vikings could've/should've beaten the Dallas Cowboys. They didn't. 31-28 Cowboys.

So much for a winning streak. So much for that dream of being 7-5 at the three-quarter pole of the season. The playoffs are still a possibility for the Vikings but it's a much longer shot than it was. Outside of the Cowboys and their division pals in the East there are too many good teams in the NFC. A 10-6 record is often good enough for a playoff berth but this year it might not be. The Vikings have to win each of their remaining six games to reach 10-6. Until they're eliminated there's a chance. That remote chance will disappear if they give away games like the one they gave to the Cowboys yesterday. 

The Vikings simply made too many mistakes. 

Kris Boyd didn't come set on an otherwise well-timed and well executed fake punt. He was the receiver on the play so I guess that he was antsy to get the play going. This was one of those mind-numbing mistakes that simply can't happen when a team has no margin for errors. 

The officiating was horrible. It becomes more horrible the more I think about it. Some examples:

-The Cowboys' first score was set up when they were gifted the ball as the result of safety Donovan Wilson's helmet-to-helmet hit on Kirk Cousins. What should've been an easy call of roughing the passer was deemed a fumble recovery. The Cowboys were gifted the ball on the Vikings' 30-yard line. Three plays later the Cowboys had a 7-0 lead. If the officials make the right call, the Vikings' first possession of the game gets a nice start. At least it's a nice start yardage-wise. A helmet-to-helmet hit on the quarterback is never a nice start. 

-Olabisi Johnson was flagged for facemasking after a first down catch. In all my years of watching football I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've seen an offensive player called for facemasking. This shouldn't have been one of the them. Speaking of offensive facemasking, I remember one that wasn't called in a game between these two teams during the Emmitt Smith days. Smith's hold on the facemask of a Vikings player was so secure that he couldn't let go of it. He left the game with a thumb injury. No flag was thrown on the play. No flag should've been thrown on Johnson's play. But it was that sort of officiating. 

-Hit on a defenseless receiver could’ve been called on the hit that caused a Dalvin Cook fumble. That was another little gift that gave the Cowboys an opportunity to get a field goal at the end of the first half. 

-There was a mystery hold called on Garrett Bradbury on a nice Dalvin Cook run. There was a puzzling illegal chop block call on Dakota Dozier. Missed holding calls on the Cowboys’ long touchdown run and the two-point conversion. There’s eight points that probably shouldn’t have been. Missed defensive pass interference on a second half third down pass to Adam Thielen. And finally another b.s. illegal hit penalty on Harrison Smith. The officials have sure had some sort of freaky thing for Smith this season. The game was a heavy dose of officiating whiffs. It happens. Officials make mistakes but those mistakes usually balance out. There was no balance to the officiating in this game. I admit to a pissy view of the officiating fresh off a game that didn't end as it probably should've ended. That first missed call that gifted the Cowboys an early fumble recovery, early momentum, and early touchdown is difficult to forgive. Or forget. 

Kris Boyd dropped an interception in the end zone that would've ended the game. 

Justin Jefferson dropped a pass on the Vikings' final possession of the game. If he catches that ball, he converts a first down and the Vikings take the first step on what could've been the game-winning drive. It was Jefferson's first drop of the season. It might take at least a dozen games until we see the next one. 

This just felt like a game that the Vikings should've won with ease. The offense dominated the second half. The first three possessions following intermission were impressive time and game controlling touchdown drives. 

9 plays, 75 yards, 5:10

12 plays, 81 yards, 6:47

5 plays, 75 yards, 2:25

The offense took control of the game. 

Unfortunately, the Vikings defense would follow an impressive second half series with one that was difficult to watch. The Cowboys' first touchdown of the second half came on a five-play, 75-yard "drive." It looked like the Vikings defense was in a training camp thud practice. The "drive" ended with a 42-yard touchdown stroll by Tony Pollard. It was the sort of "drive" that will wake me in horror during the coming nights. Fortunately, the defense followed that series with a strong one. Unfortunately, the defense followed that strong series with another poor one. And there's the difference in the game. 

The 31-28 loss isn't just on the defense allowing two second half touchdowns. The offense closed the game with two possessions that totaled four plays for 16 yards. The first possession could've sealed the game. The second possession could've won the game. Instead of doing either they gave the Cowboys opportunities. For the game, Cousins threw eight incomplete passes. He threw five of those incomplete passes on the final two possessions. The Vikings offense had the Cowboys defense reeling for 25 of the final 30 minutes. It was the Vikings game but they let it slip away.

Flea Flicker Week 11 Predictions

It's been a tumultuous year and a strange NFL season. The world continues spinning as the NFL plows into late November. It's already Week 11. Here's a guess at the outcomes of the games. 

Byes: Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers

Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

Can the Vikings win their fourth win in a row? The Cowboys haven't been a good team but they have too damn many playmakers to be overlooked.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Cleveland Browns

Pick: Browns

Only pick an NFC East team when they are playing another NFC East team. 

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Saints

It's always fun when these two teams play. It's looking like Sean Payton is committed to his mission of making Tayson Hill an every down quarterback. 

Cincinnati Bengals @ Washington

Pick: Bengals

It's Ohio vs the NFC East in the NFL today. 

Detroit Lions @ Carolina Panthers

Pick: Panthers

This game needed a coin flip. Came up Panthers.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Steelers

This game didn't need a coin.

Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens rebound from a rough game against the Patriots.

New England Patriots @ Houston Texans

Pick: Patriots

Against the Ravens, Cam Newton finally played something like he did before he caught COVID.

Miami Dolphins @ Denver Broncos

Pick: Dolphins 

The Dolphins push their win streak to six games. 

New York Jets @ Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Chargers

The Chargers keep finding new ways to lose games. This game shouldn't be close enough at the end for them to lose it. 

Green Bay Packers @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

I'm picking the Colts simply because I want them to win. 

Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Chiefs

The Chiefs get some sweet revenge.

Los Angeles Rams @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneers

The Rams have been on a Win-Lose-Win-Lose pattern. Lose is up. 

 

Black College Hall of Fame Class of 2021

The Black College Hall of Fame announced the six members of the Class of 2021. The six inductees were selected from a list of 25 Finalists who had been determined earlier by the BCFHOF Selection Committee. 

Class of 2021

Coy Bacon (Player) 

Defensive Lineman … Jackson State University (1962-1966) … Signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent … Dallas Cowboys (1967) … Los Angeles Rams (1968-1972) … San Diego Chargers (1973-1975) … Cincinnati Bengals (1976-1977) … Washington Football Team (1978-1981) … USFL Washington Federals (1983) … Three-time All-Pro … In 1976 led the NFL with 21.5 sacks … Born August 30, 1942 … Died December 22, 2008. 

Greg Coleman (Player) 

Punter … Florida A&M University (1972-1975) … Selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 14th round of the 1976 NFL Draft … Cincinnati Bengals (1976) … Cleveland Browns (1977) … Minnesota Vikings (1978-1987) … Washington Football Team (1988) … Earned the nickname "Coffin Corner" … First African American Punter in NFL history … Selected by the fans to the Vikings 40th Anniversary team … Born September 9, 1954. 

Jimmie Giles (Player) 

Tight End … Alcorn State University (1973-1976) … Selected by the Houston Oilers in the third round of the 1977 NFL Draft … Houston Oilers (1976) … Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978-1989) … Detroit Lions (1986-1987) … Philadelphia Eagles (1987-1989) … Four-time Pro Bowler … For his career, Giles caught 350 passes for 5,084 yards and 41 touchdowns … Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor … Born November 8, 1954. 

Winston Hill (Player) 

Offensive Lineman … Texas Southern University (1959-1962) … Three-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection … Selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 11th round of the 1963 NFL Draft … Baltimore Colts (1963) … New York Jets (1963-1976) … Los Angeles Rams (1977) … AFL Champion (1968) … Super Bowl III Champion … Three-time All-AFL Selection … Eight-time Pro Bowler … Three-time All-Pro … AFL All-Time team… New York Jets Ring of Honor… Born October 23, 1941 … Died April 26, 2016 

Roynell Young (Player) 

Safety and Defensive Back … Alcorn State University (1977-1979) … Three-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference performer … NAIA All-American … Sheridan Broadcasting Network Defensive Player of the Year … Finished college career with 20 interceptions, 144 tackles and 48 pass deflections … Selected by the Eagles in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft … Philadelphia Eagles (1980-1988) … Played in Super Bowl XV … Pro Bowl Selection (1981) … Born December 1, 1957. 

Willard Bailey (Coach) 

Coach …Virginia Union University (1971-1983) and (1995-2003), Norfolk State University (1984-1992), Saint Paul’s College (2005-2010) Virginia University of Lynchburg (2011-2013) … Compiled a record of 238–169–7 … Won seven Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference championships … Bailey never had a losing season between 1971 and 1983 … His Virginia Union Panther football teams made five straight appearances in the Division II football playoffs (1979-1983) … Born June 3, 1939. 

***

As a long-time fan of the Minnesota Vikings, I want to specifically congratulate Greg Coleman. Ray Guy opened my eyes to the impact that a punter can make on a game. Coleman opened my eyes to the fun that a punter can bring to a game. I never hoped for a Vikings punt but when Coleman stepped on the field to do his job there was always a chance that something fun was about to happen. 

The 2021 Class is the 12th Class to be inducted. Here are the Black College Hall of Fame Inductees from the previous 11. 

Class of 2010

Buck Buchanan, DL, Grambling State

Jake Gaither, Coach, Florida A&M

Willie Gallimore, RB, Florida A&M

Deacon Jones, DE, South Carolina State

Willie Lanier, LB, Morgan State

Bill Nunn, journalist, NFL Scout

Walter Payton, RB, Jackson State

Jerry Rice, WR, Mississippi Valley State

Eddie Robinson, Coach, Grambling State

Ben Stevenson, HB, Tuskegee University

Class of 2011

Earl Banks, Coach, Morgan State

Lem Barney, DB, Jackson State

Mel Blount, DB, Southern University

Roosevelt Brown, OL, Morgan State

Willie Davis, DE, Grambling State

Bob Hayes, WR, Florida A&M

Willie Jeffries, Coach, South Carolina State, Wichita State, Howard University

Joe Kendall, HB, Kentucky State

Collie J. Nicholson, Contributor, Grambling State

Art Shell, OL/DL, Maryland Eastern Shore

Doug Williams, QB, Grambling State

Class of 2012

Cleve Abbott, Coach, Tuskegee University

Willie Brown, DB, Grambling State

Harry Carson, LB, South Carolina State

Eldridge Dickey, QB, Tennessee State 

Jackie Graves, Contributor, NFL Scout

James Harris, QB, Grambling State

Claude Humphrey, DL, Tennessee State 

Steve McNair, QB, Alcorn State

Willie Richardson, WR/DB, Jackson State

Johnny Sample, DB, Maryland Eastern Shore

Rayfield Wright, TE, Fort Valley State

Class of 2013

Elvin Bethea, LB, North Carolina A&T

Charles Brackins, QB, Prairie View A&M

Joe Gilliam, QB, Tennessee State

Ken Houston, DB, Prairie View A&M,

Charlie Joiner, WR, Grambling State

Ed Jones, DL, Tennessee State

Larry Little, OL, Bethune-Cookman

John Merritt, Coach, Tennessee State

Charlie Neal, Contributor, Broadcaster and Commentator for Black College Football

Shannon Sharpe, TE, Savannah State

Jackie Slater, OL, Jackson State

Class of 2014

Robert Brazile, LB, Jackson State

Marino Casem, Coach, Alabama State, Alcon State, Southern University

Leroy Kelly, RB, Morgan State

John Stallworth, WR, Alabama State

Michael Strahan, DE, Texas Southern

Willie Totten, QB, Mississippi Valley State

Doug Wilkerson, OG, North Carolina Central

Class of 2015

Roger Brown, DT, Maryland East Shore

Richard Dent, DE, Tennessee State

W.C. Gorden, Coach, Jackson State

L.C. Greenwood, DE, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Ernie Ladd, DT, Grambling State

Ken Riley, DB, Florida A&M

Donnie Shell, SS, South Carolina State

Class of 2016

Ken Burrough, WR, Texas Southern

Jethro Pugh, DT, Elizabeth City State

Otis Taylor, WR, Prairie View A&M

Emmitt Thomas, CB, Bishop College

Lloyd Wells, Contributor, Pro Scout

Aeneas Williams, DB, Southern University

Class of 2017

Parnell Dickinson, QB, Mississippi Valley State

Harold Jackson, WR, Jackson State

Billy Joe, Coach, Cheyney University, Central State University, Florida A&M University,

Miles College

Gary Johnson, DL, Grambling State

Robert Porcher, DL, South Carolina State

Isiah Robertson, LB, Southern University

Class of 2018

Harold Carmichael, WR, Southern University

Raymond Chester, TE, Morgan State

Bill Hayes, Coach, Winston-Salem State, North Carolina A&T

Thomas Henderson, LB, Langston University

Leo Lewis, RB, Lincoln University

Greg Lloyd, LB, Fort Valley State

Everson Walls, DB, Grambling State

Class of 2019

Emerson Boozer, RB, Maryland East Shore

Hugh Douglas, DE, Central State

Rich Jackson, DE, Southern University

Frank Lewis, WR, Grambling State

Arnett Mumford, Coach, Jarvis Christian College, Bishop College, Texas College,

Southern University

Timmy Newsome, RB, Winston-Salem State

John Taylor, WR, Delaware State

Class of 2020

Earl Harvey, QB, North Carolina Central

James Hunter, DB, Grambling State

Robert Mathis, DE, Alabama A&M

Joe Taylor, Coach, Howard University, Virginia Union, Hampton University,

Florida A&M University

Dennis Thomas, Contributor, Commissioner-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

Erik Williams, OL, Central State

That's a remarkable collection of football talent. 29 members of the Black College Football Hall of Fame went on to professional football careers that ended in Canton. So far. Ken Riley. Anyone? 

Buck Buchanan

Deacon Jones

Willie Lanier

Walter Payton

Jerry Rice

Lem Barney

Mel Blount

Roosevelt Brown

Willie Davis

Bob Hayes

Art Shell

Willie Brown

Harry Carson

Claude Humphrey

Rayfield Wright

Elvin Bethea

Ken Houston

Charlie Joiner

Larry Little

Shannon Sharpe

Jackie Slater

Robert Brazile

Leroy Kelly

John Stallworth

Michael Strahan

Richard Dent

Donnie Shell

Emmitt Thomas

Aeneas Williams

Congratulations to the six new members of the Black College Football Hall of Fame. 

William V. Campbell Trophy Finalists

Last week, the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame announced the finalists for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy. The award, often referred to as the Academic Heisman, recognizes one scholar-athlete in college football for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. The William V. Campbell is one of the most prestigious of college football's postseason awards. Since it recognizes academic accomplishments and leadership in addition to on-the-field work, it's one of the least known. Imagine that. 

Selected from a record 199 semifinalists nationwide from among all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, the 12 finalists are:

Scholar-Athlete                                        GPA   Major

Tyler Bradfield, LB, Grand Valley State         3.99    Finance

Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas                        3.42   Marketing

Jack Gibbens, LB, Abilene Christian        4.00    Accounting & Financial Mgmt.

Ezra Gray, RB, Alabama State                4.00   CIS

Tyriq Harris, DE, Charlotte                        3.68   Biology

Drew Himmelman, OT, Illinois State        3.82   Exercise Science

Tyler Howerton, OL, Hampden-Sydney         4.00    Physics

Kekaula Kaniho, DB, Boise State                3.94   Health Science

Brandon Kennedy, OL, Tennessee                3.55   Sport Management

Cameron Kinley, CB, Navy                        3.32   Political Science

Elijah Molden, DB, Washington                3.56   Communications

Brady White, QB, Memphis                        3.58   Business

The 12 finalists will each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2020 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. Later this year, one member of the class will be declared the winner of the 31st William V. Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

Congratulations to the 12 finalists. 

The past recipients of the Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda, include:

 

1990 – Chris Howard (Air Force)

1991 – Brad Culpepper (Florida)

1992 – Jim Hansen (Colorado)

1993 – Thomas Burns (Virginia)

1994 – Rob Zatechka (Nebraska)

1995 – Bobby Hoying (Ohio State)

1996 – Danny Wuerffel (Florida)

1997 – Peyton Manning (Tennessee)

1998 – Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia)

1999 – Chad Pennington (Marshall)

2000 – Kyle Vanden Bosch (Nebraska)

2001 – Joaquin Gonzalez (Miami [FL])

2002 – Brandon Roberts (Washington U. in St. Louis [MO])

2003 – Craig Krenzel (Ohio State)

2004 – Michael Munoz (Tennessee)

2005 – Rudy Niswanger (LSU)

2006 – Brian Leonard (Rutgers)

2007 – Dallas Griffin (Texas)

2008 – Alex Mack (California)

2009 – Tim Tebow (Florida)

2010 – Sam Acho (Texas)

2011 – Andrew Rodriguez (Army West Point)

2012 – Barrett Jones (Alabama)

2013 – John Urschel (Penn State)

2014 – David Helton (Duke)

2015 – Ty Darlington (Oklahoma)

2016 – Zach Terrell (Western Michigan)

2017 – Micah Kiser (Virginia)

2018 – Christian Wilkins (Clemson)

2019 – Justin Herbert (Oregon)

The above list is, of course, highlighted by the 2008 winner of the William V. Campbell Trophy. Alex Mack. Go Bears!