Grambling State News

Former Grambling State University All-American quarterback and later head football coach Doug Williams has made more than his fair share of impacts throughout his life.

Williams helped found and then became a member of the second class of the Grambling Legends Inc., a Sports Hall of Fame that recognizes former GSU athletes while also striving to increase and promote interaction with Grambling State alumni, provide financial support to the university’s men’s and women’s athletic programs, and accentuate the outstanding accomplishments of former GSU student athletes and administrators.

Legend is an accurate description of Williams’ status after his prestige was increased on May 1 as he was honored as part of the 2025 class of Louisiana Public Broadcasting network’s Louisiana Legends, which honors outstanding Louisianans who have distinguished themselves in a variety of disciplines including writing, art, entertainment, politics, public service and athletics.

In 1978, Williams made history by being selected 17th overall in the NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, becoming the first African American quarterback chosen in the first round. Later, he joined the Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders), where he led the team to victory in Super Bowl XXII in 1988, becoming the first Black starting quarterback to not only win a Super Bowl but also earn MVP honors in that game.

A member of the College Football Hall of Fame and a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the Class of 2025, Williams is also a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the Washington D.C. Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Grambling Legends Hall of Fame.

But becoming a LPB Legend was something new for Williams as it was the first time he was honored along with an outstanding group of nonathletes

Joining Williams in the 2025 LPB Legends class were Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, a leader and advocate dedicated to combating hunger and strengthening communities; John H. Dalton, who was appointed the 70th Secretary of the Navy in 1993 by President Bill Clinton; Dan Borném who has had distinguished career across diverse sectors, including media, government, education, industry, and healthcare; internationally acclaimed watercolor painter, instructor, juror, and author Judi Betts; and the Goldring Family, who through their foundation, generously funds nonprofit organizations in Greater New Orleans and whose missions encourage environmental sustainability, animal welfare, arts and culture, civil affairs, educational and recreational opportunities for children, human services, health, and Jewish causes.

“It was amazing being a part of it all,” Williams said. “That’s one heck of a crew with what all of them have done in life — a military hero with a submarine named after him, someone who’s made a name for herself in fighting for social justice, another person who has impacted several different things including government, media, education and history, a painter who is famous worldwide, and a family known doing all they can to help anybody and everybody in need.

“Just being a part of that was incredibly special. That was an amazing group of people on that stage. I told Mr. Dalton we had a special connection because I coached at Navy. The Navy named a submarine after him. You never know in what ways you might connect with someone, and we had that connection. But the whole thing was an amazing experience. Like my dad would say, I was in tall cotton.”

Williams said he was proud to be a part of such a diverse group of leaders.

“The way I look at it, I think they were trying to honor people from Louisiana who have made an impact, no matter where that impact comes from or how it was made,” Williams said. “Being from Louisiana, I feel good about being inducted into the PBS Louisiana Legends. That’s the bottom line.

Williams is also proud of the fact that he feels part of the reasoning behind his selection in becoming a Louisiana Legend came for what he has done since leaving the gridiron as a player.

“I think some of the things I’ve done off the football field, and continue to do, plays a part in it,” Williams said. “Grambling Legend, Black College Football Hall of Fame, the HBCU Bowl, all of those things played a part in it. It’s all about helping — whatever you do in the community to make a positive impact on people.”

Believe it not, Williams doesn’t count being the first Black quarterback to play in and win a Super Bowl as the biggest impact he’s made.

“There’s two things I think I’ve done — three if you count being the first Black quarterback in the Super Bowl, but that would be No. 3 — that I’m especially proud of,” Williams said. “ I think the opportunity I had in 1993 to coach a high school (Northeast High in Pride, Louisiana, which is located a little northeast of Williams’ hometown of Zachary) and make an impact on those younger kids was the first big impact I was fortunate to be able to make. We beat Peyton Manning (Newman High School) in the playoffs at Northeast High School.

“The other would be having the opportunity to coach at Grambling and replace a legend like Eddie Robinson. Those guys I coached at GSU, and seeing how they’ve gone off and what they’ve done with their lives to be successful and then come back and tell you thanks. That’s an impact. The Grambling Legends, bringing guys back who deserve to be celebrated, that’s an impact. The Black College Hall of Fame is the same thing.”

Williams is also proud of the impact he’s made in founding the Legacy Bowl, which is more than a football game but instead an event looking to make an impact on not only the players involved in the game but on students from HBCUs across the country that converge on New Orleans to attend a job fair held in conjunction with the All-Star football contest.

“What we’re trying to do (with the Legacy Bowl event) is give those guys the opportunity to be seen,” Williams said. “Not everybody is going to play in the National Football League. We all know that. But there are some who might get a chance because of that last opportunity to be seen.

“And then the job fair they go to along with HBCU students from all across the country — that’s another impact I’m proud of.”

Video of the 2025 Louisiana Legends gala can be found here: (7) 2025 Louisiana Legends Gala | 05/01/2025 – YouTube