On Saturday, February 22nd at 4:00 pm in Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana the 4th 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.
This HBCU Legacy Bowl was hosted by NFL Legends Doug Williams and James “Shack” Harris, who both played at Grambling State University.
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 Chennis Berry (South Carolina -coached at Benedict in 2023) and Bubba McDowell (Prairie View A&M). Team Robinson was led by co-head coaches T.C. Taylor (Jackson State) and Sam Shade (Alabama A&M — coached at Miles in 2024).
Alcorn sent five players from their roster to participate in the Legacy game which were Tavarious Griffin (Tight End), Steve Carter (Offensive Lineman), Malachi Bailey( Defensive Lineman), Stemarion Edwards (Linebacker), and Edwin Summerour (Defensive Back).
Team Robinson took the win with a 17-14 victory over Team Gaither. Alabama State pass rusher Treqwan Thomas was named the game’s Defensive Most Valuable Player with four sacks while Florida A&M quarterback Daniel Richardson was Offensive Most Valuable Player, with 110 passing yards and a second-quarter touchdown on 9-of-12 passing.