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HBCU Football: 10 of the best players of all time

By Dante Pryor

Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) scrambles out of the pocket during the game against the Jaguars at Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville Dec. 22, 2002. The Titans defeated their AFC South foe 28-10.021222 B
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) scrambles out of the pocket during the game against the Jaguars at Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville Dec. 22, 2002. The Titans defeated their AFC South foe 28-10.021222 B /
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CHICAGO – NOVEMBER 10: Walter Payton #34 of the Chicago Bears heads upfield during the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on November 10, 1985 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lions 24-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO – NOVEMBER 10: Walter Payton #34 of the Chicago Bears heads upfield during the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on November 10, 1985 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lions 24-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

3. Walter Payton, RB, Jackson State

How many former players in any sport can say they have not one but two awards named after them? Walter Payton might be the only one. If he is not, there are few others. Before Payton broke Jim Brown’s rushing record, he was setting records at Jackson State.

Payton had such an iconic career while at JSU; the FCS player of the year award is named after the man affectionately called “Sweetness”. While at Jackson State, Payton rushed for 3,600 yards and a school-record 65 touchdowns.

Payton’s breakout performance came in a 72-0 drubbing of Lane College in 1972. Payton scored 15 touchdowns that season — seven of those came against Lane College. Not only were those seven touchdowns a school record, but the 279 rushing yards were also a school record.

When Payton became the full-time starter in 1973, the Columbia, Miss., native scored a school-record 24 touchdown — 1973 was also the first of his two Black College Player of the Year Awards. Payton would be named an All-American in 1974.

During Payton’s time at Jackson State, the Tigers won two SWAC titles, and the 1973 teams are widely recognized as one of the best HBCU teams of all time. Most interestingly, Payton was also a skilled kicker. During his career at JSU, Payton kicked 53 extra points and made five field-goals.

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