Induction Ceremony

College Football Hall of Fame, Atlanta, GA • Saturday, February 10, 2018

Press Release

The Black College Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2018 was honored at the Ninth Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons on February 10, 2018. The sold-out Induction Ceremony was held at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Class of 2018 includes Harold Carmichael (Southern), Raymond Chester (Morgan State), Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson(Langston University), Leo “Lincoln Locomotive” Lewis (Lincoln), Greg Lloyd (Fort Valley State), Everson Walls (Grambling State) as player inductees and Coach Bill Hayes (Winston-Salem State and North Carolina A&T).

“This class represents three Super Bowl rings, 18 Pro Bowl selections and several Black College Football championships,” said BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee, Doug Williams. “Take a look at what they’ve done off the field as well, and each has earned this incredible honor.”

Votes were tallied from the 12-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators and historians, as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from previous BCFHOF inductees to determine the 2018 Inductees.

Bowie State junior quarterback Amir Hall was selected as the 2017 recipient of the Black College Football Player of the Year Award. He was presented with the Deacon Jones Trophy, named in honor of the football legend and inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame inductee.

Arizona Cardinals Safety Antoine Bethea was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Black College Football Pro Player of the Year Award, presented by the NFLPA. It will be awarded annually to the most outstanding professional football player from a Historically Black College and University.

The Inductees were also recognized on ESPN at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on December 16th, 2017.

2018 – All of the Past and Present Black College Hall of Fame Inductees

The Doug Williams Family

2018 – Inductee Banners

Amir Hall with Black College HOF Trustees – Doug Williams, Willie Lanier, Mel Blount, Art Shell

Antoine Bethea with Steve and Carl

Claude Everson, Butch, Mel Blount, Doug Williams, Burrough

  • Doug Williams and Everson Walls

Doug Williams and Kelvin Middleton – Former USFL Oklahoma/Arizona Team Members

Harold Jackson, Hollywood Henderson, Mel Blount

Kelvin Middleton and Greg Lloyd – Former NFL Pittsburgh Steelers Team Members

McKenzie and Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama Quarterback

Gregg Lloyd Interview – 2018 BCF HOF Inductee & Fort Valley & Former Pittsburgh Steelers

Gregg Lloyd – Autograph Session – 2018 Black College HOF Inductee

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama Quarterback and Kelvin Middleton

History

Black College Football began play in 1892 with segregation well-established and heavily managed with Jim Crow laws. Following World War I the sport of college football ignited the passions of patriotism, pride and school spirit as America had found a new past time.

From the cotton fields of the South to the slums of major cities, young black boys dreamed of glory in this newfound game with the only problem being that they couldn’t play the sport wherever they wanted. For more than 70 years, young black college-bound football players flocked to black colleges and universities. While the major state institutions allowed only a trickle of black players into their programs, the vast majority of black football players, prior to 1965, played at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs).

Black College Hall of Fame – History

Born of farms and city neighborhoods and with little to no formal football training, coaches with little notoriety or glamour, gave of themselves for their love of the game. These teachers of men faced inferior facilities, less than stellar equipment and very few venues in which to showcase the enormous talent, thus establishing a trend that continues through today.

About The Black College 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 64 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees.

The Black College Football Hall of Fame is presented annually by The Shack Harris & Doug Williams Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization.