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LennyMoonSports remember Houston Rockets glory days

By Lenny Moon

As we embark on the upcoming 2026 version of the NBA Finals, reflections of the Space City’s only two NBA titles (back to back in 1994 and 1995) come rushing back to the surface. Particularly since the New York Knicks return following a 26 year hiatus from the championship series. The Rockets actually defeated the Knicks for their first Finals title in 1994 and defended their crown the following season over the Shaquille O’Neal led Orlando Magic in 1995. We had the good fortune of covering the Houston based NBA franchise during most of the Hakeem Olajuwon era including the title runs as well as the seasons that led to the formulation of those championship compilations.

The coach that led Houston to the back to back NBA titles was Rockets legend Rudy Tomjanovich, former star forward who played his entire 12 year career with the franchise and was a 5x NBA All Star. The Michigan Wolverines product was retained by the organization upon his retirement and was an assistant to Don Chaney when his opportunity to become head man intersected his path. The irony was that Chaney had earned NBA Coach of the Year in 1992 while providing the team with its most regular season wins (52) in the teams annals, the season prior to being given his pink slip. The announcement was dropped around midseason and obviously caught most by surprise, including “Rudy T”. We caught up with the then newly appointed Rockets head coach the day following the press conference. (See video below)

One of the key cogs in both of the Houston Rockets back to back NBA titles was point guard Kenny “Jet” Smith. The former North Carolina All American was an exceptional facilitator who could also stretch the defense with his outside shooting capability. With the game’s premier low post talent in Olajuwon, Smith was brought in during the Chaney era in 1990 and provided the much needed veteran ball handler as the team continued to develop. Since his playing days, Smith has evolved into one of the NBA top analyst currently airing on ESPN following an extended stint with TNT Sports. We caught up with the “Jet” during one of his HTown stops as he revisited what made the magic work. (See video below)

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NBA Father/ Son Scoring Leaders, Hubert Davis

By Lenny Moon

As of press time, the top five “Father/ Son” scoring leaders are represented below. Of the five duos, the only pair whose total is completed is the Bryants (Joe “Jellybean’ and Kobe). The other four tandems continue to add to their respective ledgers. Without further adeu, we’ll begin with the current leaders and work our way through the top five “Father and Sons All Time Scoring Leaders”.

(#1) One of the greatest players the NBA has ever witnessed spearheads the leader in this category having amassed a whopping 43,368 points in his illustrious career at press time. LeBron James of course is the gentleman we’re referencing and adding his son’s Bronny’s (LeBron Raymone James Jr.) 156 points so far, they currently sit on top of this list in the history of the National Basketball Association. LeBron has become one of the legit players to enter the league at 6 foot 9, 260 pounds that can efficiently play all five positions on the floor. He’s a 22x NBA All Star, 4x NBA Champion, 4x NBA Finals MVP, 4x NBA MVP, 5x NBA All Defensive Team, Olympics MVP (2024) and NBA 75th Anniversary Team just to name a few of his accomplishments on the hardwood.
(#2) Unless one is a veteran fan of the NBA, one might not be cognizant of the original Curry that knocked them down from deep. The senior Curry is Wardell Stephen aka Dell. We’ll get into Steph a little later. With Dad, it started while still in his home state where he earned the “Virginia Mr. Basketball”, No. 30 retired by his collegiate Virginia Tech, Metro Conference Player of the Year, No. 30 retired by his NBA team Charlotte Hornets and NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1994. Dell finished his 16 year NBA career with 12, 670 points. The son here also has the identical birth name as his father, but wears his middle name as his first name to create his monstrous legacy in his own name (so to speak). Although his birth certificate recognizes him as Wardell Stephen Curry II, he’s opted to go with Steph. For starters, he’s evolved into a show stopping long range outside bomber unlike any the game has seen. The junior Curry not only scores in volume but does so in a spectacular fashion. The expression “shooting from the logo” realistically originated with Steph Jr. His basketball IQ is off the charts and artfully able to exploit any defense opponents attempt to slow him from dominating the action. The four time NBA Champion is also a 2x NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP, 12x NBA All Star, 2x NBA scoring champion and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team among many, many other attributes. Now in his 17th NBA season (all with Golden State) Curry has deposited 26,476 points at press time.

(#3) As with the James duo sitting on top of this category, one of the two with this next pair became one of the greatest the game has ever witnessed. The son in this instance is none other than the late Kobe Bean Bryant (1978>2020). His father was Joe “Jellybean” Bryant (1954>2024) who was an athletic 6 foot 10 swing player drafted in the 1st round by Golden State out of LaSalle in 1975. One of his three stops in the NBA was the Houston Rockets where he enjoyed one of his better seasons in the league before traveling overseas for the next 17 years abroad. Jellybean scored 5,252 points in his NBA career. His son Kobe “Bean” Bryant was drafted straight out of high school, enjoyed a 20 year NBA career (all with the Lakers) and was a large part of Five NBA Championships where he was a 2x NBA Finals MVP. Also included on his ledger is an 18x NBA All Star, 9x NBA 1st Team All Defense and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team among many, many other career achievements. Kobe scored 33,643 points when he called it a career in 2016. Bryant was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.

(#4) This next Father/ Son duo both spent the majority of their NBA careers on the west coast. Mychal (Dad) was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers where he spent his first seven seasons. His final four years in the league was with the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers where he was a huge part of their back to back NBA Championships in 1987 and 1988. Born in 1990 in Los Angeles, Ca during his father’s stint with the Lakers, Klay Alexander Thompson spent the first 11 of his 13 seasons in the Bay Area with the Golden State Warriors. The jump shooting sniper has scored over 17,000 points (and counting) while Mychal tossed in 12,810 points during his NBA career to land this duo just over 30,000 career points.

(#5) Known for his fancy crossover ball handling, this Chicago native excelled at Texas at El Paso University prior to being drafted in the 1st round of the 1989 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. The five time NBA All Star amassed 15,383 points with the Miami, Dallas, Denver and Indiana in addition to his years with the Warriors. Being the son of a former NBA star must be difficult under ordinary circumstances. But to come into the league with the exact same name as his junior must fall into the 2.0 category. Timothy Duane Hardaway Jr has met this challenge head on. Although drafted in the 1st round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, Tim Hardaway Jr bounced around the league his first few years as a pro before settling in with the Atlanta Hawks first and later the Dallas Mavericks. It was with the Mavs where he established himself as a solid NBA starter on ends of the court. Now in his 12th NBA campaign, Tim Jr has scored 12, 191 points (and counting) currently with the Denver Nuggets.

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The case of former North Carolina Tar Heel head basketball coach Hubert Davis is labeled a “sign of the times” in big time collegiate sports in the 21st Century. That very well might be true. But before we bury this topic, how about some facts to incorporate into the discussion pertaining to two legendary former Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) coaches. Let’s explore Dean Smith (UNC) and Mike Krzyzewski (Duke) during their first five years at their respective programs. Davis was recently fired shortly following a second consecutive first round exit in the NCAA Basketball Tournament wrapping a five year stint at his alma mater. The past five seasons as the Tar Heels men head basketball coach represented Davis first five as a head coach. Davis led North Carolina to the NCAA Tournament Championship game in 2022, won 20 plus victories in each of his five seasons

Conversely, both Smith and Coach K were very nearly fired from their ACC institutions within their first five year stint, but the programs that they were leading opted to stick with their guy until they both gained traction. Dean Smith posted a sub .500 record in 1962 and broke even another in 1964. Coach K experienced back to back sub .500 seasons in 1982 and 1983 but still managed to hang on until he figured it out. Cumulatively, the three coaches five year ledger is listed below:

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Black College Football Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026

By Lenny Moon

The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced its Class of 2026. The six-member class was selected from a list of 28 finalists previously determined by the BCFHOF Selection Committee.

The Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 includes:

  • Jimmy Smith (Jackson State)
  • Eddie Robinson, Jr. (Alabama State)
  • Nick Collins (Bethune-Cookman)
  • Tyrone Poole (Fort Valley State)
  • Coach Rudy Hubbard (Florida A&M)
  • Steve Wyche (Howard)

“What we have with the Class of 2026 is an incredible showcase of excellence, leadership, and impact that continues to come from Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Black College Football Hall of Fame Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee Doug Williams. “When the Black College Hall of Fame was established, its purpose was to elevate and recognize the past, present, and future of Black College Football. This class exemplifies that mission.”

Votes were tallied from the nine-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators, and historians, along with former NFL general managers and executives, and members of the BCFHOF, to determine the Class of 2026.

The Class of 2026 will be officially honored at the 17th Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by the Atlanta Falcons, on June 6, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jimmy Smith

Jacksonville Jaguars All-Time Leading Receiver — Smith became one of the cornerstone offensive players for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 1995 to 2005, leading the team in receiving each season over that span and setting franchise records for receptions and receiving yards.

Pro Bowl and League Honors — A five-time Pro Bowl selection (1997–2001) and two-time Second-Team All-Pro, he also led the NFL in receptions in 1999 and was inducted into the Pride of the Jaguars, the franchise’s ring of honor.

Impressive Career Statistics — Over his 11-year career, Smith totaled 862 receptions for 12,287 yards and 67 touchdowns, ranking among the top receivers in league history at the time of his retirement.

Resilient and Impactful Performer — After early setbacks with injuries and limited opportunities, he emerged as one of the most productive receivers of his era, including a historic 15-reception, 291-yard, 3-touchdown performance against the Baltimore Ravens in 2000.

Collegiate Success at Jackson State — Before his NFL career, Smith was a two year starter (junior and senior campaigns) at wide receiver for Jackson State University, where he developed into a top prospect. Smith snared 83 receptions for 1,678 yds and 12 TDs his final two seasons as a JSU Tiger good for just over 20 yds per catch.

Eddie Robinson Jr.

Head Football Coach at Alabama State University — Named the 30th head coach on November 26, 2021, entering his fourth season leading the Hornets while helping restore winning culture and strong fan engagement.

Alabama State Alumnus and Standout Linebacker — A New Orleans native, Robinson accepted an academic scholarship to ASU and walked on to the Hornets football team, earned a chemistry degree in 1994, lettered all four seasons, and was a two-time All-SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and Sheridan All-American. Academically, ERob earned the status of Academic All Conference and recognized as the “Toyota Leadership Award” recipient in 1990.

SWAC Hall of Fame Inductee — Became the youngest inductee in Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame history at age 28 and was later recognized as a MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legend.

11-Year NFL Veteran — Selected 50th overall in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers, he played for Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, and Buffalo, including an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIV with the Titans. College Football.

Analyst and Broadcaster — Spent nearly a decade as a college football analyst for Fox Sports South, ESPNU, and ESPN3, and co-hosted the weekly television show INSIDE SWAC.

Leader, Mentor, and Community Advocate — Actively supports youth development and HBCU athletics through football camps, community outreach, and service as an NFL Ambassador for USA Football.


Nick Collins

Seven-Year NFL Career with the Green Bay Packers — Selected 51st overall in the 2005 NFL Draft, he became a cornerstone of the Packers’ defense and one of the NFL’s premier safeties.

Super Bowl XLV Champion — Played a pivotal role in Green Bay’s championship run, highlighted by a memorable interception returned for a touchdown in the Super Bowl.

Three-Time Pro Bowl and All-Pro Performer — Earned three Pro Bowl selections and three Second-Team All-Pro honors, consistently ranking among the league’s elite defensive backs.

Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Inductee — Inducted in 2016, cementing his legacy as one of the most impactful defensive players in franchise history.

Bethune-Cookman Alumnus and Defensive Standout — A native of Rock Hill, South Carolina, he began his collegiate career at linebacker at Bethune Cookman and later converted to free safety. He quickly adjusted to the secondary by leading the MEAC in interceptions and earning All Conference in 2003. As a senior, Collins continued to evolve by earning 1st Team All MEAC along with 3rd Team AP All American and later inducted into the Bethune-Cookman Athletics Hall of Fame.

Bethune-Cookman Cornerbacks Coach and Mentor — Returned to his alma mater to help develop defensive backs, bringing championship experience and professional insight to the Wildcats’ coaching staff.

Tyrone Poole

13-Year NFL Veteran Cornerback — Drafted 22nd overall in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft, Poole enjoyed a long professional career with the Panthers, Colts, Broncos, Patriots, Raiders, and Titans, totaling 486 tackles and 18 interceptions.

Two-Time Super Bowl Champion — A key contributor in New England, Poole earned back-to-back Super Bowl rings with the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX.

Fort Valley State All-American and Trailblazer — At Fort Valley State University, he was a four-year starter and became the first player in school history to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, also starring in track and field, setting the school record for the 200 meter dash and finished second in the NCAA National Finals in 1995.

Hall of Fame & Honors — Poole’s legacy includes inductions into the Division II Football Hall of Fame and SIAC Hall of Fame, and recognition in the Fort Valley State Black College Alumni Hall of Fame for his excellence on and off the field.

In 2011, Poole authored a book entitled “Ultimate Success in the Game of Life” speaking to his challenge of growing up in poverty, quitting football his senior year in high school and being part of two Super Bowl teams with New England. Additionally, the LaGrange, Ga native became an entrepreneur, community advocate, inventor and Community Advocate — Beyond football, he’s a published author, and founder of the Tyrone Poole 38 Foundation, focusing on fitness, education, and humanitarian outreach.

Coach Rudy Hubbard

Legendary Florida A&M Head Football Coach — Served as head coach from 1974–1985, compiling an 83–48–3 record, ranking among the winningest coaches in school history.

National and Black College Football Champion — Led the Rattlers to the inaugural NCAA Division I‑AA Football Championship in 1978 and back‑to‑back Black College National Championships in 1977 and 1978. But harkening to the 1978 college football campaign, Hubbard and his Florida A&M Rattlers became the first ever Historical Black College and University program to win the NCAA Division 1AA Football Championship.

Orange Blossom Classic Success — Guided Florida A&M to five consecutive Orange Blossom Classic victories (1974–1978), solidifying the Rattlers’ dominance in HBCU football.

College Football Hall of Fame Inductee — Enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach (Class of 2021), honoring his leadership, championship pedigree, and lasting impact on the game.

Ohio State Running Back and Historic Assistant Coach — Lettered at Ohio State from 1965–1967 and became the first African-American assistant coach on Woody Hayes’ staff, contributing to multiple championship teams.

High School Head Coach and Community Leader — Returned to coaching later at James S. Rickards High School in Tallahassee, continuing his dedication to mentoring young athletes before retirement.

Steve Wyche

HBCU Advocate & Champion of Black College Football — A 1989 Howard University journalism graduate, Wyche consistently elevates the visibility of Historically Black Colleges and Universities through national coverage, including HBCU GO broadcasts and HBCU Legacy Bowl analysis, spotlighting the rich culture and talent pipeline of HBCU athletics.

Chief National Reporter & Senior NFL Media Analyst — Veteran journalist for NFL Network and NFL.com since 2008, delivering insider reporting, league analysis, and moderating key panel discussions across NFL programming.

Broadcast Presence & Studio Contributor — Regular contributor to studio shows, co‑host of Game Day Preview, and frequent on‑site reporter for marquee league events including playoff games and the Super Bowl.

Distinguished Sports Journalism Career — Built an expansive reporting résumé with major outlets including the Miami Herald (covering NFL, NBA, and collegiate teams), The Washington Post (NBA/Wizards), ESPN/ESPN2, and as beat writer for the Atlanta Falcons before joining NFL Media.

Howard University Alumnus & Early Reporting Roots — Earned a B.A. in Journalism from Howard University, where he began developing his reporting skills; first professional roles included covering high school and small college sports for the Richmond Times‑Dispatch.

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Art Shell the NFL’s 1st Black Head Coach during the Modern era.

By Lenny Moon

The year was 1989 when Arthur (Art) Lee Shell Jr became the first Black head football coach in the National Football League during the modern era. Fritz Pollard was the first Black to earn the distinction of becoming the first back in 1921 as player/coach for the Akron Pros. A native of Charleston, SC, Shell has always reigned supreme as an athlete, having earned all state status in both football and basketball. He was inducted into the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

We caught up with the historical NFL figure during his stint as the head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders and extracted some excerpts depicted in the video below.

Shell attended Maryland Eastern Shore University (1964 thru 1967) where he was a three time All Conference offensive tackle, an All American his senior campaign before being drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the 3rd round of the 1968 NFL Draft. Beginning with his third season in Oakland, the durable offensive lineman played in 156 consecutive before being injured during the 1979 preseason. Once recovered, Art played in an additional 51 straight games. Lining up wearing his black and silver uniform, Art accrued 8 Pro Bowl appearances, 3 Super Bowl championships (XI, XV and XVIII) and earning a slot on the NFL 1970s All Decade Team. When his impressive 15 year NFL career came to an end (all with the Raiders), the SC native would also tack on membership of the NFL 100th Anniversary All Time Team.

The year of 1989 was a banner year for the lifetime Raider in that this was the year that Canton, OH came calling, indicative of his immortality as a player being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That same year, Raiders owner Al Davis promoted his then offensive line coach to the head coaching position thus becoming the first Black to be selected as the head coach in the modern National Football League. Shell was named the NFL Coach of the Year in 1990 leading the Raiders to an AFC West title and advancing to the AFC Championship Game. Needless to say, Art Shell Jr is a historical figure in the history of the NFL. He also served as Sr VP for Football Operations and Development for the NFL during his post coaching career. Shell is a Trustee of the Black College Football Hall of Fame and was inducted into said HOF in 2011, complimenting his College Football Hall of Fame (2013) and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in 2006 inductions.

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Ken Houston and Deacon Jones highlight LennyMoonSports Hall of Fame Series

By Lenny Moon

In our continuing series focusing on the variation of hall of famers covered over the years, we’ve extracted two gentlemen that evolved into forces of nature whose National Football League careers overlapped. Both are products of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) experience and both are members of the NFL 75th & 100th Anniversary Teams. Kenneth Ray (Ken) Houston hails from the East Texas community of Lufkin, Tx who played collegiately at in state Prairie View A&M University and maintained his Lone Star State gridiron exploits being drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1967. Although his position on the field was safety, Kenny hit much like a linebacker which he played collegiately.

David “Deacon” Jones is a product of the Orlando, Florida area community called Eatonville who went on to attend and perform for two HBCU’s in South Carolina State of the Mideastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Mississippi Valley State of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Jones was considered a “freak” athlete of his day in that at his size (6 foot 5, 275 lbs) the defensive end would commonly run down speedy running backs with his special gift. Additionally, his ability to defeat his blocker and arrive in the backfield as the ball carrier received the handoff was legendary. “Deacon” literally terrorized quarterbacks and is credited with creating the moniker of “sacking the quarterback”. His charisma matched his destroyer mentality on the gridiron to the point of being labeled the “Minister of Defense”.

We’re offering excerpts from our visits with these two extraordinary HBCU products that evolved into the best to ever play their respective positions, not only on the collegiate level but the NFL as well. First, we’ll roll out our video from one of several visits we’ve had the pleasure of engaging with the only Pro Football Hall of Fame member from Prairie View A&M, Ken Houston.

Our visit with the legendary Deacon Jones confirmed all of the previous observations that I had ever heard about perhaps the greatest defensive end to ever play the game.

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LennyMoonSports pay Tribute to former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue

By Lenny Moon

The football world has been at half mast since the passing of former Commissioner of the National Football League Paul Tagliabue who passed recently at 84 years on Nov 9th. Serving as the fourth commissioner of the NFL (1989 thru 2006), the Jersey City, NJ native took on the challenge of following the “larger than life” Pete Rozelle and left his own indelible impression. Tagliabue was involved in several “game changing” occurrences during his tenure including postponing games following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and taking a hardline stance against the state of Arizona for declining “Martin Luther King Jr Day” as a recognized National Holiday. Consequently, Arizona was prohibited the opportunity to host Super Bowl XXVII and the extravaganza was moved to neighboring Pasadena, Ca and their Rose Bowl. Of course with that went a lucrative revenue stream that accompanies the game wherever it’s held. When Hurricane Katrina obliterated the Gulf Coast in 2005, the New Orleans Superdome was severely damaged forcing the Saints to call San Antonio, Tx home until a decision was made whether to return. The Commissioner stepped in and declared full support for the community of New Orleans that the franchise would return when the repairs were completed. This proved to be a lightning rod for the resurrection of the Cresent City.

Also among the commissioner’s notable feats was his contribution to the NFL’s Rooney Rule that mandates when a head coaching position becomes vacant in the NFL that a minority candidate must at minimum be granted an interview. The video above are excerpts from our interview with the late commissioner about his decision to implement the historic legislation on behalf of the National Football League. Additionally, Pro Football Hall of Fame candidate John Wooten was another key cog in the compilation of this legislation. Wooten is one of the founders of the Fritz Pollard Alliance that aligned with Tagliabue and several team owners to ultimately reach an accord without the anticipated battle in the courtroom. Depicted in the “You Tube Video” above, Lenny Moon spoke with both the late Commissioner Tagliabue as well as the 60 plus year NFL veteran that’s currently a candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Contributor.

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Former Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes talks with Lenny Moon about two of his Epic Bouts

By Lenny Moon

For a world class boxing champion to win his first 48 bouts in the heavyweight division, while defending his title a whopping 20 times before coming out on the short end of a decision was mystifying. The lack of respect that came his way was mind blowing. The gentleman referenced is the warrior known as “The Easton Assassin”, Larry Holmes. Standing 6 foot 3 inches, Holmes had one of the better jabs in the business. Although he could bang it out when the situation called for it, his jab was what they refer to as an “educated jab” that was stiff and quick and his “meal ticket” weapon.

We had the good fortune of interviewing Holmes on several occasions over the years and chose to extract the discussion from two of his more notable bouts during his illustrious career. The first video represented below is compelling in the context that the champ was intersecting with his mentor. Holmes was meeting his former boss in the legendary Muhammad Ali, whom he had spent four years as a training camp sparring partner. Ali was unquestionably at the “end of the road”. But as he was astute of doing, “The Greatest” convinced a great number of us that he had one more quality performance remaining. Reality sets in with each of us at some juncture as Holmes takes us through that journey.

The next Larry Holmes video delves into a confrontation that suggested the establishment was attempting a power play maneuver. This bout featured an undisputed, undefeated champion in Holmes versus an undefeated challenger that perhaps perceived as embodying more box office appeal. As the saying goes, “nothing personal only business”. Larry was required to challenge the number one contender as criteria to maintain the status of champion. Consequently, his resume reflected that. Long Island, NY native Gerry Cooney checked in having a cadre of early knockouts where on paper warranted him consideration. Standing 6 foot 7 with one punch KO power and in his athletic prime at 25 years of age, the charismatic southpaw was deemed the fighter of the present as well as the future.

Larry discusses with Lenny Moon the pressure cooker of an environment leading into this epic matchup that transpired on March15, 1982 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

As with many boxers, Holmes would go on to extend his active career until 2002. All told, the Hall of Fame boxer’s slate reads 69 wins versus 6 defeats with 44 knockouts in his 29 years inside of the squared jungle as a pro. Holmes is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame as well as the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

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Hall of Fame OL Jackie Slater talks with Lenny Moon about Blocking for two Legends

By Lenny Moon

Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman Jackie Slater invested 20 years of service in the National Football League; all with the Rams in St Louis as well as Los Angeles. The Jackson, Ms native starred for his hometown Jackson State University where he blocked for the legendary Walter Payton. During his stint with the Rams, Slater would go on to block for a total of seven 1,000 rushers including the electric Eric Dickerson; the NFL single season leader with 2,105 yards. Jackie discusses with veteran sports broadcaster Lenny Moon about his Hall of Fame career. (See video below)

Partial Payton Ledger: >>>><<<<Partial Dickerson Ledger:
`16,726>NFL RUSHING YARDS // 13,259> NFL Rushing Yards
110>NFL RUSHING TDs // 90>NFL Rushing TDs
NFL 75th ANNIVERSARY TEAM// NFL 80s All Decade Team
NFL 100th ANNIVERSARY TEAM//NFL 100th Anniversary Team
9 TIME NFL PRO BOWLER // 6 Time NFL Pro Bowler
1973 2nd TEAM ALL AMERICAN// 4 Time NFL Rushing Leader
1974 1st TEAM ALL AMERICAN// St Louis Rams Ring of Fame
3X FIRST TEAM All SWAC// LA Rams No 29 Retired
CHICAGO BEARS #34 RETIRED// Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor



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16th Annual Black College Football HOF Induction slated for June 7th in Atlanta

By Lenny Moon

The 16th Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will commence on June 7th 2025 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga beginning at 6:30 pm est. The BCFHOF induction ceremony is presented by the hometown Atlanta, Falcons. Listed below is the roster of the newly minted BCFHOF Class of 2025.

Grambling’s first 1,000-yd rusher in their storied legacy. Named first team All-SWAC from 1963-65. Led the nation in scoring during his senior with 110 points and drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 4th round of the 1966 NFL Draft
One of the greatest head football coaches to come down the pike in the annals of Historically Black Colleges and Universities record books. Led Wiley College (charter member of the SWAC) to ten SWAC titles (1923, 1927, 1928, 1929,1930, 1932,1944, 1945, 1956 and 1957}. He led the Wildcats to the Black College Football National Championships in 1928, 1932 and 1945. In addition to coaching at Wiley, Long also has stints at Paul Quinn College, Prairie View A&M and Texas College while amassing 224 victories.
Florida A&M product Jacquay Nunnally was one of the most productive wide receivers to lace them up on the gridirons of the HBCU landscape. For starters, Nunnally was a 4-time All-Mideastern Athletic Conference performer, 3-time All-American and named Black College Football Player of the Year in both 1998 and 2000. He currently ranks second on the FCS record books with 317 career receptions, 4.239 yards and 38 TDs.
Mathis enters the BCFHOF as a 3-time All-MEAC First Team member, 2002 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year including holding the FCS record for most interceptions in a season (14) as well as career leader (31). Drafted by Jacksonville in the 2nd Round of the 2003 NFL Draft, Mathis is the author of four all-time secondary records within the Jaguars history books.
Rogers-Cromartie is a 3-time First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference and a FCS All-American in 2007. Started 39 games for Tennessee State in his four seasons there and drafted in the 1st Round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. DR-C was also an outstanding Track and Field performer winning the 60-meter, long jump and high jump (all in the 2008 OVC Indoor Track Championship). For good measure, finished second in the triple jump in that same competition.
Jay Walker was one of the prolific passers of his era, throwing for 3,324 yards in 1993 (2nd in MEAC history) while starring for Howard University. Along the way, “Sky Walker” was a 2-time First Team All-MEAC selection including conference Player of the Year his senior campaign. Spearheaded by his sparkling leadership, the Bison finished undefeated while winning the MEAC and Black College National Championships
Special thanks to the Black College Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee members in alphabetical sequence: Charles Bailey, Charles Davis, Charles Garcia, Donald Hunt, Michael Hurd, Ty Miller, Lenny Moon, Charley Neal, Scott Pioli, Burt Trembly and Steve Wyche
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The Evolution of the Black Quarterback in the NFL Part IV-AFC Edition (Part II)

By Lenny Moon

This is the conclusion of the record-breaking season series depicting the number of starting Black quarterbacks in the National Football League during the recently concluded 2024 campaign. The second sector of the AFC signal-callers (presented below) rounds out the remaining three of the record fifteen snap takers in America’s new pastime; the NFL.

The opportunity for Blacks to play the quarterback position in the National Football League has been a gradual process that came equipped with an innate resistance for the slot referred to as the “field general”. The quarterback is unquestionably the leader of their offense and in most instances the entire team. Blacks have always played the position and excelled as the signal-caller even during the era when a quarterback called their own plays (but not in the NFL). In a society that often doesn’t subscribe to equity (especially in leadership roles), the Black attempting to play the quarterback position constantly collided with the ironclad wall designed to keep them on the outside of it. Fast forward the clock to the third decade of the 21st Century and there were a record 15 of the 32 NFL franchises were led by a Black quarterback on opening day of the 2024 campaign. Collectively five of this contingent have three years of experience or less, with Washington’s Jaden Daniels and Chicago’s Caleb Williams check in as rookies. There are four Heisman Trophy winners in this grouping and two other Finalist. The AFC quarterbacks presented below are in alphabetical order: C.J. Stroud (Houston), DeShaun Watson (Cleveland) and Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh).

2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

Each time that Coleridge Bernard “C.J. Stroud IV experienced the task of proving that he could become a starting quarterback, he met the challenge head on and never blinked. The Rancho Cucamonga, Ca native (42 miles east of Los Angeles) certainly rubber stamped his final campaign in the Eastern California Valley by earning Player of the Year by the Ontario daily on the strength of nearly 4,000 yards passing, 47 TDs and finishing as the 3rd ranked QB in his 2020 high school class. From there the Big-10 came calling in the form of “The Ohio State University” where he would spend the next three gridiron seasons.

As is the case with most powerhouse programs, the Buckeyes had an incumbent already in place by the name of Justin Fields, a Heisman Trophy finalist from the season before (following his transfer from Georgia) that still had some eligibility. Following the departure of Fields for the NFL, the redshirt freshman quickly showed that there was a new sheriff in town with no drop off in productivity. His next two seasons at the Columbus, OH institution saw him lead his team to a sparkling 21-4 record with 8,123 passing yards and 85 TDs. This performance merited C.J. Heisman Trophy consideration both seasons prior to foregoing his senior year and making himself eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft. This provided the launching pad for the Houston Texans selecting him with the second overall pick, thus making Stroud the highest drafted quarterback in OSU’s storied football history.

The next challenge would be the ultimate test; the National Football League. This is typically when a team that invest their top pick opt to bring that commodity along gradual but steadily to one day soon take over the reins as QB-1. Well apparently, no one passed the memo to Stroud as he was given the keys coming out of his first training camp and never looked back. The former Buckeye inherited a 3-13-1 record and promptly posted one of the greatest rookie seasons the league had ever witnessed. C.J.-IV tossed over 4,000 yards with 23 TDs vs only 5 int while leading Houston to a Wild Card playoff round victory over Cleveland. In spite of shaky protection from his offensive line during his sophomore season and now a targeted NFL star signal-caller, Stroud started all 17 games and led the Texans to their second consecutive AFC South title and hosted the first round contest vs the Los Angeles Chargers. And for the second time in two attempts C.J. led this once downtrodden team to the NFL Playoff’s 2nd round.

Watson is a 3-Time NFL Pro Bowl QB

Prior to the year of 2021 when legal issues came raining down like an avalanche, Derrick DeShaun Watson was considered as one of the rising stars from the quarterback position in the National Football League, So much so that the Cleveland Browns were willing to shell out a record amount of “Bejamins” to procure his services for the foreseeable future. He was at odds with the team that drafted him in the Houston Texans and both entities were agreeing to part ways to settle their highly publicized dispute. Some may have forgotten that Watson was on a trajectory to become one of the premier signal callers in the league. He hit the ground running as a rookie in 2017 (1st Rd, 12th pick) having taken over the starting duties early during his maiden voyage. He started six of the seven games played and threw for nearly 1,700 yards and 19 passing TDs before suffering a season-ending injury during practice. Once again healthy, DeShaun led the Texans to the AFC South title, starting all 16 games and tossing for over 4,800 yds with 26 TDs and rushing for 441 yards and 5 additional scoring markers. Following two more Pro Bowl seasons in H-Town, his legal woes became synonymous with his name identity, completely sitting out the 2021 season before the transaction that connected him to Cleveland.

DeShaun hails from Gainesville, Ga (about 55 miles NE of Atlanta) where he established state records in total yards, total touchdowns, career passing yards and career passing TDs catapulting to one of the top prep prospects in the nation. Collegiate offers poured in before he opted to remain regional and selected Clemson of the ACC Conference and 80 miles or so from his hometown. Watson’s sophomore campaign as the Tiger’s QB-1 was one for the ages. The 2015 season witnessed Watson leading Clemson to an unblemished 12-0 regular season record, #1 poll ranking and played their way into the 2016 College Football National Championship game vs second ranked Alabama. Against the nation’s best defense, DeShaun set the total yards record with 478 (405 pass and 73 rush) in a 45-40 loss to Nick Saban’s group. That same season, Watson finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting behind (Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey). DeShaun and his Tigers would avenge that defeat the very next season by defeating the Crimson Tide 35-31 as he tossed for 420 yards and 3 TDs and the MVP trophy. This represented the second national championship in the school’s history and the first in over 30 years.

Wilson led the Seattle to two consecutive Super Bowls

The National Football League Draft is usually an efficient means of importing collegiate talent to the pro league, and for decades has largely worked in their favor. With some of the best scouts and technology at their disposal it’s still an inexact science. Enter Russell Carrington Wilson who is one of a hand full of NFL QBs to lead his team to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances (2014 & 2015 -winning the first and came within a controversial call that resulted in an endzone pick from two consecutive). Collectively, Wilson led Seattle to the playoffs in eight of his first nine seasons in the NFL, compiling an impressive 98-45-1 record (69%) with the aforementioned Super Bowl appearances during his third and fourth seasons. This part of his resume alone would merit Russell as a 1st ballot Hall of Fame candidate. But yet he was not selected until 75th pick of the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft. As former NFL head coach Jon Gruden once stated, “If Wilson was taller, he’d be a certain 1st round draft pick”. As the great Tina Turner might have said, “What’s height got to do with it” [ONLY KIDDING].

Wilson is listed at 5-11 and was a two-sport star (baseball being the other) for most of his prep and collegiate career. Following a sterling high school career in his native Richmond, Va, Russell selected North Carolina State where he graduated in three years with a BA in Communications and was runner up to ACC Player of the Year in 2010. The dual threat signal caller contemplated accepting an opportunity to report to spring training with the Colorado Rockies in early 2011. But he decided on transferring to Wisconsin without penalty. His only season in the potent Big-10 Conference witnessed him leading the Badgers to the championship and a 2012 Rose Bowl appearance, losing to Oregon 45-38. Wilson’s completed 19 of his 25 tosses for 296 yards with 3 total TDs (2 pass and 1 rush) in his final collegiate contest. Before he set sails for the NFL, Russ earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.