On Saturday, February 24th at 3:00 pm in Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana the 3rd annual Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Legacy Bowl was played which showcased the best National Football League (NFL) draft eligible football players from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). The game was televised on the NFL Network.
The two men responsible for constructing this All Star Post Season extravaganza was NFL legends Doug Williams and James “Shack” Harris, both from Grambling State University. By doing so, both men exposed many HBCU players to professional teams and scouts.
The players were divided into two teams, Team Gaither and Team Robinson, which represented a legendary HBCU coach. Coach Jake Gaither served as the head coach of Florida A&M University for 25 years compiling a 204-36-4 record while Coach Eddie Robinson spent 52 years as the head coach of Grambling State University with a record of 408-165-15. All HBCUs were represented by their coaching staff. Both teams had two head coaches. Players from the MEAC and CIAA represented Team Gaither while players from the SWAC and SIAC represented Team Robinson. Team Gaither was led by Co-Head coaches Larry Scott (Howard University) and Alvin Parker (Virginia Union). Team Robinson was led by Co-Head coaches Chennis Berry (South Carolina -coached at Benedict in 2023) and Bubba McDowell (Prairie View A&M).
Alcorn sent two players from their roster to participate in the Legacy game which were Monterio Hunt (Wide Receiver) and Jarveon Howard (Running Back) The Braves played on Team Robinson.
Team Gaither won the contest with a 10-6 victory. Alabama A&M’s Defensive Lineman Zareon Hayes earned Defensive MVP honors recording 4 sacks while North Carolina Central Quarterback Davius Richard won Offensive MVP for his opening drive of the game where he went 2 for 2 for 53-yards and ended the drive with a rushing touchdown.
(Photo Credit: www.hbcusports.com)