Conversion between
brothers launches Black College grid Hall of Fame
A chance conversation between former NFL player David Jones
and his brother has led to the creation of the National
Black
College Football Players Hall of Fame.
Jones, a product of Delaware State University, said the
conversation led to research and to his astonishment, learned
that no such
organization existed.. "So I said I might as well do this
myself," he said in a phone interview.
Jones immediately moved forward and created the organization
which will headquarter itself in Atlanta and conduct its
first
inductions February 21st of next year via a black tie gala
at Atlanta's Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel. The first class,
which Jones chose himself, of five players includes Grambling
Head Coach Doug Williams, the late Chicago Bear Walter Payton
(Jackson State), former LA Ram fearsome foursome Deacon Jones
(South Carolina State) , LA Raider Jerry Rice ( Mississippi
Valley) and retired Grambling head coach Eddie Robinson. "
I knew I had to come out with a bang on the first year," he
said.
Jones said he decided on his first picks through his own
interest in transcending years and timelines. " I looked
at the generations, moving from the 50s and 60s with Deacon
Jones
and Eddie Robinson through the 70s with Doug and Walter and
then becoming a little more contemporary with Jerry Rice.
I wanted to have something for all ages and people who have
any recollection of black college football." Jones said
the class of 2005 will be chosen by a committee he will
organize
of sports writers, college sports information directors and
other passionate supporters of black college athletics.
Although Jones' idea is unique , it has yet to attract significant
corporate support. He has financed the first phase of the
Hall with his own money. To help defray those expenses, Jones
has organized the first celebrity golf tournament April
10th
at the Stone Mountain (GA)Golf and Country Club. Confirmed
celebrities include former New York Giant Harry Carson (
South
Caroline State), former San Diego Charger Nate Lewis (Florida
A&M), former Miami Dolphin All Pro Larry Little (Bethune
Cookman), former Pittsburgh Steeler Greg Lloyd (Fort Valley
State),
former San Francisco 49er John Taylor (Delaware State), and
former Dallas Cowby Everson Walls (Grambling). Slots for
100
players have been established at $300 per slot which includes
a breakfast and lunch, green fees, cart rental, a hole-in-one
contest and silent auction. Players will be paired with celebrity
golfers in teams of three.
Jones said prior professional experience is not a criteria
for eligibility into the Hall. He said his current plans
for
the February dinner include the awarding of a lifetime achievement
trophy ."That could be anybody from a sports information
director to a player to an equipment manager that may have
been at
a school 50 years." The dinner will also feature awards for
outstanding current HBCU college players and a plaque to
an
outstanding active NFL player who attended an HBCU.
Jones says he is currently seeking links with other groups
like the Tom Joyner Foundation, 100 Black Men of America
and
the United Negro College Fund and scouting for a permanent
site for the Hall somewhere near the Atlanta University
Center.
"I want to create a museum-like place where people can come
and see black college memorabilia and read about some of
these
players. I'd like to see it as big an attraction as the NFL
Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio."
To sign up for the April 10th golf tourney or learn more about the Black
College Football Hall of Fame, visit the web site at blackcollegehalloffame.com or
e-mail or call
Jones at
646-452-6766.
Got an item or comment?
Contact Hal at lamar95@bellsouth.net
