• Additional events Thursday through Sunday showcase HBCUs

CANTON, OHIO — NFL Network will provide live televised coverage of the 2022 Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic when Winston-Salem State University faces Central State University at 4 p.m. Sunday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

Play-by-play announcer Steve Wyche and analysts Charles Davis and Bucky Brooks will call the action from the booth. Cameron Wolfe will provide updates from the sidelines. Additionally, NFL Network will air the entire halftime performances from both schools’ bands — Central State’s “Invincible Marching Marauders” and Winston-Salem State’s “Red Sea of Sound.”

Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN) also will serve as a broadcast partner for the 2022 Classic. HSRN will broadcast on SiriusXM Channel 385, beginning with a pregame show at 3 p.m.

The 2022 Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic game culminates several days of free activities around Classic Week that include a funfest and free gospel concert Saturday and HBCU Family Tailgate on Sunday leading into the game. Among those events:

Stark County District Library’s Speaking of Books Presents “The Black College Football Hall of Fame Edition”: 8 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday; Canton Palace Theatre (605 Market Ave. N, Canton). James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams, African American sports pioneers and co-founders of the Black College Football Hall of Fame, will come together with football historian Joe Horrigan to discuss their contributions to the game of football. A Q&A and book signing will conclude the evening.

ESPN’s First Take: 10 a.m. to noon Friday. (Doors open at 8:30 a.m.); Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Park at Lot A (1776 Clarendon Ave. NW, Canton) and enter the stadium through the Symphony Gate. ESPN’s signature morning debate show – featuring Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim, along with Marcus Spears on set – will travel to Canton for a live broadcast in conjunction with the Classic.

Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic Community Open-Mic in collaboration with the Jason Taylor Foundation: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday; Nash Family Event & Conference Center at Pro Football Hall of Fame. Open to all Summit and Stark County community members ages 14 and up, this event is an opportunity for individuals to share their poetry, musical gifts, spoken word and other talents in a fun and relaxed environment. 

Funfest powered by PNC, which includes the Faith, Family and Football Gospel Concert featuring Fred Hammond presented by the Good Feet Store: This community-focused event will offer a variety of entertainment and vendors at Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton all day Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. Some highlights (times and performances subject to change):

• 3 p.m.: Performances by the Central State and Winston-Salem State marching bands
• 6:30 p.m.: Performance by Fred Hammond, a Dove Award, Stellar Award and Grammy Award winner

Cecilia Ponder Interfaith Service: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday; Centennial Plaza; a time to come together to worship, pray, give thanks and fellowship. All faiths and religious denominations are welcome.  
 
HBCU Family Tailgate: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday; Pro Football Hall of Fame Campus; a pregame family-friendly tailgate that will include a marching band preview (2 p.m.), other musical entertainment, food, dancing and prizes. 

Click here for a full schedule of events for Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic Week.