The Walter Payton Freshman Connection: Jackson State's Legacy
Walter Payton's journey to NFL stardom began at Jackson State University, a historically Black college and university (HBCU) in Jackson, Mississippi. His story is intertwined with the challenges and triumphs of Black athletes in the segregated South, and his connection to Jackson State is a testament to the enduring legacy of HBCUs in shaping football history.
Overcoming Segregation: Payton's Path to Jackson State
Walter Payton was an all-state running back at Columbia High School in Mississippi. Despite his exceptional talent, Payton's opportunities to play college football at major universities in the South were limited. It wasn't because Payton lacked the ability to excel at the major college level or that he didn't possess the grades required to qualify for enrollment; it was simply because of the color of his skin. Segregation barred Black athletes from many predominantly white institutions, leading Payton to Jackson State.
Payton openly acknowledged the injustice he faced, stating, "I am really glad that it worked out that way, that schools such as Alabama or Mississippi State or Louisiana State didn't recruit me. Obviously I do not support the reason why those schools wouldn't recruit me; the idea that they didn't want black kids to attend or play at their schools was reprehensible. They turned their back on so many great kids and great players. They really denied people opportunities they deserved."
Collegiate Career at Jackson State
At Jackson State, Payton flourished under the guidance of Coach Robert "Bob" Hill. "I've always said that the best thing that happened to me was going to a school like Jackson State," Payton wrote. "It is why I am so happy that I went to a school like Jackson State and met a man such as Bob Hill. Coach Hill's whole focus helped make me." Payton felt a deep connection with Hill, stating, "I don't know exactly how coach Hill felt about me, but when I was there I always felt like a son. I had that special kind of relationship with him."
Payton enjoyed an outstanding college career, rushing for 3,600 yards and a school-record 63 touchdowns. As a sophomore in 1972, Payton set a SWAC single-game scoring record with 46 points, rushing for seven touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions in a 72-0 drubbing of Lane College. He also set a school record with 279 rushing yards in the game. Payton rushed for a school-record 24 TDs as a junior in 1973 and ran for 19 touchdowns as a senior in 1974. He was a three-time Black College All-American and a two-time FCS All-American.
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The 1974 Tigers: A Unique Legacy
Most football fans know Walter Payton attended Jackson State in the early 1970s and went on to become one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. And some fans know there are three other Jackson State Tigers who have busts in Canton, Ohio: Lem Barney, Robert Brazile and Jackie Slater. The part of the story that isn't always connected? Behind this trio's talent and head coach Robert "Bob" Hill's vision and leadership, Jackson State finished 7-3 and third in the conference that year. The highlight of the season was a 19-13 win in the season finale over Alcorn A&M, the eventual conference champion and Black College Football Champion. It was Alcorn's only regular-season loss.
Despite what some think, he couldn't do it alone, running behind an offensive line led by Slater at tackle. After that memorable season in which three future HOFers shared the field for Jackson State, Payton was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Chicago Bears and Brazile followed two selections later at No. 6 (Houston Oilers) in the 1975 NFL Draft. Slater joined them in the NFL a year later as a third-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams. It's not all that common to see three college teammates from a major football powerhouse go on to earn gold jackets, let alone from an HBCU in the early 1970s. The 1974 Tigers are truly unique, a treasure that should not be overlooked.
Jackson State, which is located in Jackson, Mississippi, actually had five players drafted in 1975 -- more than Ole Miss and Mississippi State combined. Tigers players drafted in '75 included a pair of running backs, Payton and Rickey Young, who played nine NFL seasons and led the NFL with 88 receptions in 1978. Also, Jackson State tight end Rod Phillips was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Rams that year and converted to running back once in the NFL. This team was absolutely loaded with talent, and Jackson State's football tradition has always intrigued me. While coaching at Murray State University in the early 1990s, I had recruiting responsibilities that included all of the Texas and Mississippi junior colleges. I made my maiden voyage to Mississippi in the spring of 1990. I loved recruiting, and planned this trip strategically by visiting Coahoma Community College and Mississippi Delta Community College on my way south before spending a weekend in Jackson. Born and raised in New York and not having really traveled, I always craved being proximate to see, feel and learn about our country's history, as well as indulge my fascination for football history, including the incredible, deep influence HBCU football had on the AFL and NFL.
NFL Stardom and Enduring Legacy
Payton was selected by the Bears with the fourth pick in the 1975 draft. He played his entire 13-year NFL career in Chicago, retiring following the 1987 season as the league's all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards. While that record was eventually eclipsed by Emmitt Smith, Payton is still widely considered the greatest player in Bears history.
Sadly, Payton passed away Nov. 1, 1999 at the age of 45 due to bile duct cancer.
Read also: Student-Athlete Excellence
HBCU Influence Beyond Payton: A Hall of Fame Lineup
Payton's success is not an isolated case. Many other players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have made significant contributions to the NFL.
Here are some notable examples:
- Walter Payton (Jackson State): As mentioned, Payton left college as the template for Division 1-AA/FCS success.
- Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State): There's a wide gulf between Rice and whoever you consider the second-best receiver in NFL history.
- Mel Blount (Southern University): As a big cornerback in an era with a lax definition of pass interference, Blount was a key cog in the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty that won four Super Bowls in six years.
- Steve McNair (Alcorn State): McNair's time at Alcorn State ended with him winning the Walter Payton Award and finishing third in Heisman voting.
- Willie Lanier (Morgan State): The Chiefs drafted Lanier in the aftermath of their loss in Super Bowl I. Three years later, Lanier would lead them to victory in the big game.
- Art Shell (Maryland Eastern Shore): Shell went to eight Pro Bowls in 14 years with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.
- Michael Strahan (Texas Southern): Strahan took home DPOY honors in 2001 and helped the Giants pull off arguably the biggest upset in NFL history against the 18-0 Patriots in 2008.
- Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State): Sharpe burst out of the shadow of his older brother, five-time Pro Bowl receiver Sterling Sharpe, to become one of the league's premier tight ends.
- Jackie Slater (Jackson State): A college teammate of Walter Payton (and Hall of Fame linebacker Robert Brazile), Slater outlasted his Jackson State comrades in the NFL by nearly a decade.
- Richard Dent (Tennessee State): Defensive end Richard Dent was a two-time All-American at Tennessee State from 1979-82, setting sack records for a career with 39.5 and a single game with 4.5 in 1982. Selected by the Bears in the eighth round of the 1983 draft, Dent played 12 of his 15 NFL seasons in Chicago and remains the Bears' all-time leader with 124.5 sacks. He led the NFC with a Bears-record 17.5 sacks in 1984 before recording a league-leading 17 sacks in 1985 in helping the Bears win their first NFL title in 22 years. Dent was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. "I've been around football all of my life and Richard Dent was relentless and I don't believe you can teach relentlessness," Gilliam said in presenting Dent for enshrinement. "You don't meet this kind of person too often," Dent said. "I used to hate this person, but I learned to love him. You know what I mean? I learned to love him because he shaped me and he made things work for me. Coach, thank you. Coach, thank you.
Continuing the Tradition: HBCU Players in the Modern NFL
The legacy of HBCU players in the NFL continues to this day.
Tarik Cohen (North Carolina A&T): Cohen went to North Carolina A&T because it was the only school that offered him a scholarship. He soon made the colleges that ignored him regret their decision. Nicknamed "The Human Joystick" because of his video game-like running style, Cohen became the MEAC's all-time leading rusher with 5,619 yards on 868 carries. Cohen set all-time school records with 6,564 all-purpose yards and 61 touchdownsâwith 56 coming on runs, three on receptions and two on passes. Cohen was selected by the Bears in the fourth round of the 2017 draft. In four seasons, he has appeared in 51 games with 22 starts, rushing for 1,101 yards and five touchdowns on 264 carries and catching 209 passes for 1,575 yards and nine TDs. Cohen excelled in 2018, helping the Bears win the NFC North with a 12-4 record. He rushed for 444 yards and three touchdowns on 99 carries and caught a team-leading 71 passes for 725 yards and five TDs. In the process, he became only the second player in league history to gain at least 500 yards via rushing, receiving, punt returns and kickoff returns in his first 25 games. In 2019, Cohen rushed for 213 yards on 64 carries and caught a career-high 79 passes for 456 yards and three touchdowns. He signed a three-year contract extension through 2023 this past Sept. 20. Unfortunately, Cohen was lost for the season a week later when he sustained a torn ACL in a win over the Falcons.
Kindle Vildor (Georgia Southern): Simmons feels that he's representing all HBCU players.
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Legacy and Inspiration: These players, and many others, demonstrate the continued impact of HBCUs on the NFL.
The Broader Context: HBCUs and the Civil Rights Movement
The success of Walter Payton and other HBCU players is intrinsically linked to the Civil Rights Movement. On March 7, 1965, about 600 civil rights marchers left Selma heading east toward Montgomery, the state capital. Two weeks later, Martin Luther King Jr. led a march over the bridge to Montgomery. Along the 50-mile trek, the group grew from 3,200 to 25,000. "I take great pride in being from Selma," Simmons said. "I love my city. Every year we have the Jubilee festival to remember those who marched across the bridge and I always attend the event.
HBCUs provided opportunities for Black athletes when predominantly white institutions did not. These institutions fostered talent, provided a supportive environment, and instilled a sense of pride and resilience in their students.
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