New Orleans to host inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl
31st January 2022 · 0 Comments
By Fritz Esker
Contributing Writer
On February 19, Yulman Stadium at Tulane University will host the first annual HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
The game will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 19 and be broadcasted live on the NFL Network. It is a postseason all-star game featuring the best NFL draft-eligible football players from historically Black colleges and universities.
Rod Walker, a columnist with The Advocate and a member of the HBCU Legacy Bowl Committee, believes New Orleans was a natural location for the event.
“HBCU football has always been near and dear to New Orleans, which is why the Bayou Classic has been so successful since it first came to New Orleans way back in 1974,” Walker said. “The committee has worked diligently to make this a first class event, not just with the game and the halftime show, but with the events leading up to the game as well.”
The game will be part of a weeklong celebration of Black culture and history. Approximately 100 of the top HBCU players will be invited. Louisiana participants include Grambling State OL Jordan Ighofose, as well as Southern University’s DE Jordan Lewis, WR Marquis McClain, and RB Ladarius Skelton.
Walker said football fans might get a glimpse of a future NFL legend at the game. Thirty-four members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame attended HBCUs.
“Having grown up in Mississippi, I got a chance to watch guys like Jerry Rice and Steve McNair play in college. So the Legacy Bowl is a chance for people to watch a game featuring the best players from HBCU football and perhaps a chance to see the next Rice or McNair,” Walker said.
The halftime show will be performed by the Grambling State Marching Band. The national anthem and “Lift Every Voice And Sing” will be performed by Tonya Boyd-Cannon, an international recording artist and finalist on season 8 of NBC’s “The Voice.”
Tulane University President Michael Fitts expressed excitement over Tulane hosting the game.
“Hearing the cheers of collegiate competition rise once again across campus will bring new energy and joy to the post-season and serve as one of the highlights of our celebration of Black History Month,” Fitts said.
Veteran Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead announced a multi-year commitment to partner with the HBCU Legacy Bowl in December. Armstead is a graduate of an HBCU, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
“As someone who attended a historically Black college and university, I am especially proud to partner with the HBCU Legacy Bowl and the Black College Football Hall of Fame to provide opportunities for others to achieve their dreams,” Armstead said in a press release.
Saints quarterback Jameis Winston also pledged his partnership with the HBCU Legacy Bowl in October.
“I’m proud and honored to continue to support historically Black colleges and universities through the HBCU Legacy Bowl. This special game, to be played in New Orleans, is all about providing opportunities for others,” Winston said in a press release.
Other NFL stars have also partnered with the HBCU Legacy Bowl. Super Bowl LIV MVP and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a founding partner of the event. Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald is also a participating partner.
“Historically Black colleges and universities play a critical role in ensuring that African Americas, and students of all races, receive a quality education,” said Donald in a press release.
Shaneika Dabney-Henderson, vice president of production for the New Orleans Saints and the chair of the HBCU Legacy Bowl Committee, pointed out the HBCU Legacy Bowl is not just about football.
“Not only will it showcase the best and brightest talent from HBCUs across the country, but the career fair sponsored by the New Orleans Saints will provide talented athletes and non-athletes from HBCUs around the country an opportunity to gain access to hiring managers from a wide range of employers locally and nationally,” said Dabney-Henderson.
Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, director of athletics at Dillard University and a member of the HBCU Legacy Bowl Committee, echoed Dabney-Henderson’s sentiments. “I am excited about the platform to highlight the exceptional talent that exists not only on the field…but also the exceptional talent pool with whom employers will meet and interview at the career fair.”
The career fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18. It will provide job opportunities and career counseling for graduating seniors.
The career fair will be held in the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, Elite Hall B. Admission will be free. Major companies and corporate partners of the HBCU Legacy Bowl will participate. There will be live presentations featuring experts in career counseling, resume writing, interviewing, and more.
Eight graduating seniors from HBCUs will be selected to intern and gain hands-on experience in all aspects of the HBCU Legacy Bowl, such as marketing, ticketing and operations.
Dabney-Henderson said she hopes the HBCU Legacy Bowl will remain in New Orleans for years to come.
This article originally published in the January 31, 2022 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
