Black College Football HOF founders reflect on challenges, change at 30th MLK Mayors' Breakfast

CANTON − Doug Williams and James "Shack" Harris, NFL quarterbacks and founders of the Black College Football Hall of Fame, reflected on their time playing professional football and the talented Black players who didn't get that opportunity.

The Grambling State University alums were the featured speakers Thursday at the Greater Canton Martin Luther King Jr. Commission's 30th annual Mayors' Breakfast. Williams said their motivation for starting the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2009 in Atlanta was to honor great players, coaches and other contributors from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

"It's about the guys who did not get recognized," he said at DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Canton.

Harris joined the Buffalo Bills as the NFL's first Black starting quarterback in 1969. Black players typically had to switch positions to play professionally, but Harris said hearing King's "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963 inspired him to continue as a quarterback.

"I took that as a message to me," he said.

Joe Horrigan, former executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, moderated the discussion with Williams and Harris. He shared his own perspectives and the modern history of Black contributors to the NFL ― from integration in 1946 by Woody Strode, Kenny Washington, Bill Willis and Canton's own Marion Motley to Williams becoming the first Black quarterback selected during the first round of the NFL Draft in 1978.

"It was a slow growth," Horrigan said.

Williams and Harris described backlash in the form of death threats and taunting from spectators. Williams said he ignored the people in the stands, and Harris said he still recognized it as an opportunity to play professional ball.

They also promoted the HBCU Legacy Bowl and HBCU Combine as a way to give more Black players exposure to NFL scouts and potentially the same opportunity.

"We strongly believe that all these players need is an opportunity to play," Harris said.

Horrigan also announced that this year's Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic on Sept. 3 will be between Morehouse College and Virginia Union University.

Rev. Walter Arrington, chairman of the MLK commission, opened and closed the event. He shared its 30-year history and celebrated the longevity of the Mayors' Breakfast.

"This is a tremendous legacy that we continue to carry forward," he said.

North Canton Mayor Stephan Wilder and former state Rep. Thomas West were the masters of ceremonies. They presented academic scholarships, service awards, spirit awards and the morning's motto.

"It's time for us to 'elevate and educate,' and that is our theme this year," West said.

Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.comOn Twitter: @kbyerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton MLK Mayors' Breakfast marks 30th year with Doug Williams