Legends Coming to Canton for First-Ever Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic

The first-ever Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) Classic is being held on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s campus over Labor Day weekend. 20 legendary members of the Black College Football Hall of Fame, including a number of those also enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will be on hand for the Classic’s festivities.

These Legends of the Game will attend various events during the weekend and will also participate in the coin toss at the game. Details regarding a special “Meet & Greet” featuring a number of the greats who made significant contributions at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) will be posted to the Hall of Fame’s website (www.ProFootballHOF.com) and shared via social media (@ProFootballHOF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) in the days leading up to the inaugural classic.

BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMERS ATTENDING CLASSIC

The list of attendees includes (Name – HBCU – BCHOF Class) / *Also, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

• *Elvin Bethea – North Carolina A&T – Class of 2013 / PFHOF Class of 2003
• *Mel Blount – Southern – Class of 2011 / PFHOF Class of 1989
• *Robert Brazile – Jackson State – Class of 2014 / PFHOF Class of 2018
• Harold Carmichael – Southern – Class of 2018
• *Harry Carson – South Carolina State – Class of 2012 / PFHOF Class of 2006
• Parnell Dickinson – Mississippi Valley State – Class of 2017
• James “Shack” Harris – Grambling – Class of 2012
• Bill Hayes – Winston-Salem State, North Carolina A&T – Class of 2018
• *Kenny Houston – Prairie View A&M – Class of 2013 / PFHOF Class of 1986
• Billy Joe – Cheyney, Central State, Florida A&M, Miles – Class of 2017
• *Charlie Joiner – Grambling – Class of 2013 / PFHOF Class of 1996
• Ed “Too Tall” Jones – Tennessee State – Class of 2013
• *Willie Lanier – Morgan State – Class of 2010 / PFHOF Class of 1986
• Greg Lloyd – Fort Valley State – Class of 2018
• Charlie Neal – Class of 2013
• Ken Riley – Florida A&M – Class of 2015
• *Art Shell – Maryland Eastern Shore – Class of 2011 / PFHOF Class of 1989
• Donnie Shell – South Carolina State – Class of 2015
• *Emmitt Thomas – Bishop – Class of 2016 / PFHOF Class of 2008
• Everson Walls – Grambling – Class of 2018

CLASSIC OVERVIEW

The game features two HBCUs as Alabama A&M University Bulldogs of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) face the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 3:30 p.m. in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

A Dance & Drumline Competition will take place on Saturday, Aug. 31 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Canton Memorial Field House. Groups from across Ohio and the surrounding states will take part in an HBCU-style dance and drumline competition.

In addition, the Official Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic Tailgate takes place on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Field Turf located adjacent to the Museum. The Official Tailgate is free, family friendly and open to the public on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Tailgate will feature a variety of music performances, vendor and food trucks, inflatables for children and merchandise will be made available.