Here’s a thread of some legendary HBCU athletes:

Jerry Rice. Wide Receiver from Mississippi Valley State University who played most of his NFL career with the 49ers. Called the GREATEST wide receiver of all time holding 13 NFL records, 3x super bowl champ, and 1 Super bowl MVP.

Althea Gibson. Tennis Player and Golfer who attended Florida A&M University. One of the monumental figures in breaking the color barrier in sports. Reached a rank of #1 player in the world in 1957, 11x First Place finishes in Grand Slam Tournaments and 8 other top 16 finishes.

Doug Williams. Grambling State University Quarterback who finished 4th in the 1977 Heisman Trophy voting. The first black quarterback to win both a super bowl and be awarded super bowl MVP. Threw a super bowl record 4 TD in 1 quarter.

Walter Payton. Jackson State University Running back. Payton played his whole career with the Chicago Bears where he led them to a Super bowl victory, won league MVP, and the NFL’s “Man of the Year” award holds his namesake. Holds 4 NFL Rushing Records.

Charles Oakley. Virginia Union University Power Forward played 19 years in the NBA with 6 different teams. 1994 All-Defensive Team and All-Star. 1985 NABC Division II Player of the Year and NCAA Division II Leader in Rebounds.

Steve McNair. Alcorn State Quarterback who was 1 yard away from defeating “The Greatest Show on Turf” in the 2000 Super Bowl. First Black quarterback to win AP NFL MVP(2003), there have been 3 to achieve this feat since. Finished 3rd in Heisman Trophy voting as a Senior at Alcorn

Wilma Rudolph. Tennessee State University sprinter who represented the United States in the 1956 & 1960 Olympics. Won 3 Gold medals in the 1960 Olympics the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. Won bronze in the 1956 Olympics in the 4x100m relay.

Michael Strahan. Texas Southern University defensive end known for his time as an elite pass rusher for the New York Giants. 2x NFL sack leader, 7x Pro bowler, 1x Super Bowl Champion. NFL record for sacks in a single season (22.5). Texas Southern career sack record (41.5).

Earl Monroe. Winston-Salem State University point and shooting guard played for the New York Knicks and Baltimore Bullets. Jersey is retired by Knicks and Wizards. 1x NBA Champion with the Bullets, 4x All-Star, 1968 NBA Rookie of the Year, and remains #1 in CIAA all-time scoring.

Andre Dawson. Florida A&M University center fielder who played 21 season in the MLB. 8x Golden Glove Winner, 8x All-Star, 1977NL Rookie of the Year, 1987 NL MVP/NL Home Run Leader/NL RBI Leader, and 4x Silver Slugger. Formerly held 13 Montreal Expos. franchise records.

Shannon Sharp. Savannah State University Tight End known for his time as a Denver Bronco where he won 3 Super Bowls. 8x Pro Bowler, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, 3x thousand yard receiving seasons, and NFL Hall of Fame Inductee. First tight end to amass 10,000 career yards.

Edwin Moses. Morehouse College hurdler who medaled for the US in the 1976, 1984, and 1988 Olympics. Total of 8 Gold medal finishes in major competition including 2 Gold medals in the 400m hurdles in ‘74 and ‘84 Olympics, along with a bronze in ‘88 Olympics.

Yolanda Laney. Cheyney University guard known for bringing national attention to HBCU women’s basketball as she led Cheyney to its only NCAA title game appearance in 1982. Named to the Kodak All-American Team in 1984.

Rick Mahorn. Hampton University Power Forward known for playing with the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons. 3x NAIA All-American at Hampton scoring 2k+ points and set 18 school records. 1989 NBA Champion, played 19 NBA seasons, 7k+ career points, 6k+ career rebounds, 1k+ career blocks.

Aeneas Williams. Southern University cornerback and free safety who played 13 years in the NFL. Division I-AA record for single season interceptions at Southern (8). 8x Pro Bowler, 4x First Team All-Pro, NFL 1990’s All-Decade Team, and NFL Hall of Fame Inductee.

Sam Jones. North Carolina Central University shooting guard known for helping the Boston Celtics win 10 NBA Championships (8 of those were consecutive). Scored 1,770 points at NC Central, 5x NBA All-Star, scored 15,411 points, 4,305 rebounds, and 2,209 assists in the NBA.

Lou Brock. Southern University Outfielder who held the career stolen base record for nearly 3 decades. Played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs and won the NAIA championship in his Junior Season for Southern. 6x MLB All-Star and 2x World Series Champion.

Buck Buchanan. Grambling State University defensive end who was the first ever HBCU player to be drafted 1st overall in a pro football draft. Started 3 seasons at Grambling State and was Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Jonny Sample. Maryland State University (now Maryland Eastern Shore) defensive back led the Hawks to 2 CIAA Championship titles. First Black player to play in the College All-Star Game. Played 11 seasons and 5x All-Pro. Only player to win NFL, AFL, and Super Bowl Championships.

John Taylor. Delaware State University wide receiver who played 10 years with the 49ers alongside Jerry Rice. Caught the game winning TD to in the 1989 Super Bowl. 3x super bowl champ, 2x pro bowler, 1980s NFL All-Decade Team. Known as the most dominant MEAC player ever.

Its many more but it goes to say, our schools, our players, our voices, and our lives matter. HBCUs have, are, and will continue to be important parts of our community. Greatness is made here too don’t let anyone tell it oterwise!!!