Doug Williams, a 2011 inductee and co-founder of the Black College Football Hall of Fame, was recently presented with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The medal, which is America’s highest civilian honor for service and volunteerism, was given out on August 9 during a ceremony held at Howard University in Washington, D.C., according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The award was created by President George W. Bush to recognize volunteers who donate thousands of hours annually to aiding others. This covers topics including program development to support communities at risk, job readiness and creation, mentorship, and mental health and wellness.
Williams, a nine-year National Football League quarterback and graduate of Grambling State University, was recognized for his more than 4,000 hours of meaningful volunteer work that has enriched lives and strengthened communities nationwide. Williams became the first Black quarterback to start and win the Super Bowl, earning him the MVP award in Super Bowl XXII. Together with fellow NFL and Grambling State great James Shack Harris, he helped establish the Black College Football Hall of Fame, which is currently housed within the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Additionally, they created the New Orleans, Louisiana, Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl.
Since its launch in 2022, the Legacy Bowl has introduced and exposed over 400 student-athletes to draft decision-makers and scouts from the NFL, CFL, and UK. Additionally, Williams and Harris founded the HBCU Legacy Bowl Career Fair, which has given HBCU students access to hundreds of employment and scholarship opportunities.
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton will host the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic on Sunday, August 31. This year’s game will pit defending Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) champion Miles College against defending Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) champion Virginia Union University.
