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HBCU Football: The life and legacy of Bill Nunn Jr.

By Dante Pryor

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 25: A helmet of the Pittsburgh Steelers rests on the sideline during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 25: A helmet of the Pittsburgh Steelers rests on the sideline during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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The late William G. Nunn Jr. was no stranger to firsts. That only makes it fitting for Nunn to be the first African-American to be inducted into the pro football hall of fame as a contributor. Nunn used his platform to put a spotlight on black players in HBCU football as a writer for the Pittsburgh Courier.

Nunn was an inaugural inductee of both the Black College Football Hall of Fame and the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame. Despite these accolades, many of the most ardent football fans might not know the name William “Bill” Nunn Jr.; his son Bill Nunn III might be known to you for his work in movies like Sister Act and Do the Right Thing.

Nunn, a Pittsburgh native, born in 1924, has always been “the other guy” most of his life. In addition to having a famous son, Nunn played high school basketball with Chuck Cooper, the first black player drafted into the NBA, and played college basketball with Earl Lloyd, the first black player to play an NBA game.

Nunn opted to join his father at the Pittsburgh Courier over the Harlem Globetrotters after playing days at West Virginia State College were done.

Let’s get to know more about the life and impact of Bill Nunn, Jr.

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