HBCU Corner – Hosting Jackson State-Grambling State Game in Inaugural Las Vegas HBCU Classic Reflects Raiders’ History of Recognizing Black College Talent
When Jackson State and Grambling State took the field at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday for the inaugural Las Vegas HBCU Classic, it was the latest chapter in the Las Vegas Raiders franchise’s history of recognizing football talent from historically Black colleges and universities.For the Raiders, who drafted the first Black quarterback taken in the first round and hired the first Black head coach of the Super Bowl era (both HBCU products), hosting the Classic was an opportunity that they couldn’t overlook.“The connection between the Raiders and HBCU football is ingrained in the history of our franchise,” Raiders owner Mark Davissaid. “Some of the greatest players to have worn the Silver and Black came from HBCU schools and found an opportunity in professional football during a time when many of them were being overlooked.“It is a great honor to host these two storied programs at our home, Allegiant Stadium, and bring the passion and pageantry of HBCU football to Las Vegas.”Davis’ father, former Oakland Raiders head coach and general manager Al Davis, selected Tennessee State quarterback Eldridge Dickey as the 25th overall pick in the 1968 NFL draft, making him the first Black quarterback picked in the first round of the AFL or NFL drafts.
