The Enduring Legacy of Grambling State Football
The Grambling State Tigers football team, representing Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana, holds a prominent place in the history of college football, particularly within the realm of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). As a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the Tigers compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The team's legacy is built upon a foundation of national championships, conference titles, and groundbreaking achievements.
A Storied History
The prominence of Grambling football is longstanding. Grambling State boasts an impressive record, including 15 Black college football national championships (tied for second most in HBCU history) and 27 Conference Championships (one Midwest Conference & 26 SWAC). These accomplishments underscore the program's consistent success and its significant contribution to the landscape of HBCU football.
Notably, Grambling State and Morgan State made history on September 24, 1976, as the first collegiate football teams from the United States to play a game on the continent of Asia. Grambling State defeated Morgan State 42-16 in Tokyo, Japan, marking a significant moment in the program's history and showcasing its global reach.
SWAC Dominance
Since the division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference into two divisions in 1999, Grambling State has been a part of the West Division. The Tigers have consistently been a force to be reckoned with in the SWAC, contributing to the conference's rich football tradition.
National Championships and Recognition
Grambling State has won fifteen Black college football national championships, solidifying its place among the elite HBCU football programs. The only HBCU school to have more national titles is Tennessee State, claiming 16 titles.
Read also: Applying to Grambling State
Notable Figures and NFL Impact
Grambling State's influence extends beyond the college game, with numerous players and coaches making their mark in the National Football League (NFL). The program has a rich history of producing talented athletes who have gone on to achieve success at the professional level.
One notable example is James "Shack" Harris. Harris was waived after only three years with the Buffalo Bills, but after joining the Los Angeles Rams in the mid-1970s, he achieved the goal he set along with Robinson by becoming not only the first Black quarterback to regularly start in the NFL, but also was chosen team captain. That was the end to Harris serving as a shining light for the NFL. And a big part of it all began with that Grambling vs. Tennessee State game.
Interestingly, Dickey did become a first-round draft choice of the Oakland Raiders in 1968, but despite reportedly outplaying another rookie, Ken Stabler from the University of Alabama, in the preseason, Dickey was turned into a flanker.
These players' success in the NFL reflects the quality of coaching and player development at Grambling State.
A Look at Recent Games
Here's a glimpse at some recent game results for the Grambling State Tigers:
Read also: Affording Grambling State
- W 14-6
- W 38-31
- W 31-19
- W 45-5
- L 31-42
- W 41-9
- W 16-15
- L 21-49
- W 27-20
- W 40-32
These results provide a snapshot of the team's performance and competitiveness in recent seasons. Stephen F. Austin State University was one of the teams that faced Grambling State.
A Contrast with Tennessee State
The two schools rank one and two, respectively, in number of all-time HBCU national championships with Tennessee State claiming 16 titles and Grambling State capturing 15.
The coach known as "Big John" Merritt was head coach for Jackson State for 11 seasons, finishing with a record of 63-37-5 winning three conference championships, before taking over at Tennessee State in 1963 and serving as head coach there for the next 20 years. During that span, Merritt's teams had no losing seasons. Merritt's biggest season arguably came in 1971, when his Tigers compiled a 9-1 record, defeated McNeese State in the Grantland Rice Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 403 to 151. The team was also recognized as the 1971 Black College National Champion and was ranked No. 5 in the final 1971 NCAA College Division football rankings issued by the Associated Press and No. Eldridge has led Tennessee State to a 24-game unbeaten streak. Entering his senior year in 1967, Eldridge had already totaled 64 passing touchdowns, more than 4,700 yards passing, and a 68 percent completion percentage. That was by Robinson's design.
Read also: Grambling's Gridiron Goals
tags: #grambling #university #football #history
