Kansas City Chiefs greats and NFL Hall of Famers Willie Lanier and Buck Buchanan have been nominated for enshrinement into the inaugural class of the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
The Inaugural Enshrinement Ceremony will be held in Atlanta on February 20, 2010, in conjunction with Black History Month. Their induction was announced on January 15th.
Here's what the Black College Football HOF had to say about Mr. Buchanan:
Buchanan could bat down passes with either hand, play the run and rush the passer. The first of the prototypical defensive lineman, combing size, speed, and strength, he was the first black college player taken as the No. 1 overall pick in an NFL Draft, when the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in 1963. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and the College Football Hall of in 1996.
And Mr. Lanier:
Willie "Honey Bear" Lanier played Linebacker and Offensive Guard at Morgan State University from 1963 to 1967. He earned first team All-America honors his junior year and led the Bears to bowl games in 1965 and 1966, winning both and holding opponents to 0 total yards offense in the 1965 game. His teams won three conference championships and at one point had a 32-game winning streak. Lanier went on to play in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Super Bowl and five times being named as an All-Pro Middle Linebacker. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
I don't think I have to even say this is well deserved. It's just what's expected when you have two incredible players like this. Congrats to both.
Qualifications for enshrinement can be seen after the jump. More information, including other nominations, can be seen at their website.
(H/T NJ Chiefs Fan in the FanShots)
- Players will be eligible for nomination no earlier than five years after their last season of intercollegiate football.
- Players must have finished their intercollegiate playing careers at a Historically Black College or University. Exceptions may be made if it is determined by an 80% vote of the Selection Committee that a player is widely identified with an HBCU.
- Players must have played at least two seasons at an HBCU. Judging will be based on a nominee’s collegiate HBCU playing career.
- Any former or current Head Football Coach of an HBCU is eligible for nomination.
- Any individual is eligible for nomination to the Hall of Fame as a "Contributor." Judging will be based on his/her impact on the advancement of HBCU football.