Today, 52 former football legends who played at 25 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), issued a statement endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for the upcoming presidential election in November. In their joint statement, the group praised Harris’ leadership, integrity, and commitment to justice, while also encouraging citizens to exercise their right to vote for candidates of their choice.

The football legends, many of whom have achieved notable success in the NFL, emphasized that their endorsement was based on careful consideration of the candidates and their platforms. In a statement accompanying their endorsement, the group acknowledged the importance of informed voting, urging citizens to study the candidates and their positions on key issues before making their own decisions.

“We encourage all citizens to study the candidates and issues and make their own judgments,” the group stated. “We have done so, and are inspired and proud of the leadership that President Harris and Vice-President Walz will provide. But throughout our careers, we have competed on the merits, and we respect the rights of others to compete now and reach their own conclusions about candidates.”

The group includes some of the most revered figures in HBCU football history, including ten Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees and two Super Bowl MVPs.

Below is the full list of the 52 HBCU football legends endorsing the Harris-Walz ticket:

1. Joe “747” Adams (Tennessee State University)
2. Willard Bailey (Virginia Union University, Norfolk State University, Virginia University of Lynchburg)
3. Antoine Bethea (Howard University)
4. Mel Blount (Southern University)
5. Emerson Boozer (University of Maryland Eastern Shore)
6. Robert Brazile (Jackson State University)
7. Waymond Bryant (Tennessee State University)
8. Harold Carmichael (Southern University)
9. Harry Carson (South Carolina State University)
10. Raymond Chester (Morgan State University)
11. Ben Coates (Livingstone College)
12. Greg Coleman (Florida A&M University)
13. Kevin Dent (Jackson State University)
14. Richard Dent (Tennessee State University)
15. Parnell Dickinson (Mississippi Valley State University)
16. Donald Driver (Alcorn State University)
17. Leslie Frazier (Alcorn State University)
18. Jimmie Giles (Alcorn State University)
19. James “Shack” Harris (Grambling State University)
20. Bill Hayes (Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina A&T State University)
21. Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson (Langston University)
22. Kenny Houston (Prairie View A&M University)
23. Richard Huntley (Winston-Salem State University)
24. Harold Jackson (Jackson State University)
25. Richard “Tombstone” Jackson (Southern University)
26. Willie Jeffries (South Carolina State University, Howard University)
27. Billy Joe (Central State University, Miles College, Florida A&M University)
28. Ed “Too Tall” Jones (Tennessee State University)
29. Willie Lanier (Morgan State University)
30. Henry Lawrence (Florida A&M University)
31. Albert Lewis (Grambling State University)
32. Frank Lewis (Grambling State University)
33. Jim Marsalis (Tennessee State University)
34. Charlie Neal (HBCU Broadcaster)
35. Timmy Newsome (Winston-Salem State University)
36. Nate Newton (Florida A&M University)
37. Lemar Parrish (Lincoln University of Missouri)
38. Robert Porcher III (South Carolina State University)
39. Pete Richardson (Winston-Salem State University, Southern University)
40. Art Shell (University of Maryland Eastern Shore)
41. Donnie Shell (South Carolina State University)
42. Jackie Slater (Jackson State University)
43. Torrance Smalls (Alcorn State University)
44. Joe Taylor (Howard University, Virginia Union University, Hampton University, Florida A&M University)
45. Dr. Dennis Thomas (Former MEAC Commissioner)
46. Willie Totten (Mississippi Valley State University)
47. Johnny Walton (Elizabeth City State University)
48. Everson Walls (Grambling State University)
49. Sammy White (Grambling State University)
50. Doug Williams (Grambling State University)
51. Erik Williams (Central State University)
52. Roynell Young (Alcorn State University)

As the November election approaches, these men are rallying their communities to stay informed and engaged in the electoral process. The group hopes to inspire a strong voter turnout, especially from HBCU graduates and supporters across the country.