Football

Former MEAC Greats Chester, Hayes Named To Black College Football Hall of Fame

The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced its Class of 2018 as Morgan State's Raymond Chester and former North Carolina A&T State head football coach Bill Hayes will represent the MEAC in this year's class.

Both will be joined by fellow classmates Harold Carmichael (Southern), Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson (Langston University), Leo “Lincoln Locomotive” Lewis (Lincoln), Greg Lloyd (Fort Valley State) and Everson Walls (Grambling State).

“This class represents three Super Bowl rings, 18 Pro Bowl selections and several Black College Football championships,” said BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee Doug Williams. “Take a look at what they’ve done off the field as well, and each has earned this incredible honor.”

Votes were tallied from the 12-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators and historians, as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from previous BCFHOF inductees to determine the 2018 Inductees. 

The Class of 2018 will be honored at the Ninth Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons on February 10, 2018. The Induction Ceremony takes place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. 

The Inductees will also be recognized on ABC/ESPN at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 16. For more information please visit www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.

RAYMOND CHESTER
Tight End … Morgan State University (1966-1969) … Member of Morgan State’s 1968 undefeated team, scoring the Bears’ only touchdown in their historic victory over Grambling at Yankee Stadium … Member of 1970 College All-Star team … Selected by the Oakland Raiders with the 24th overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft … Raiders (1970-1972; 1978-1981) … Baltimore Colts (1973-1977) … NFL Rookie of the Year (1970) … Four-time Pro Bowl Selection … Super Bowl Champion (1980) … Born on June 28, 1948 in Cambridge, Maryland.

BILL HAYES
Winston-Salem State University (1976-1987), North Carolina A&T State University (1988-2002) … Won four CIAA titles at Winston-Salem State … Ranked as the #1 team in Division II after consecutive undefeated regular seasons … As head coach of the Aggies, Hayes won three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) titles and made two Division I-AA playoff appearances … 1988 National Coach of the Year … Retired with a record of 195-104-2 … All-time winningest football coach at both schools … Born June 1, 1943 in Durham, North Carolina.