Grambling State's Doug Williams honored as Louisiana Legend

Yahoo

17-05-2025

GRAMBLING, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Former Grambling State University All-American quarterback and later head football coach Doug Williams was named to 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.'
Williams became the first African American quarterback selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in 1978 after being taken 17th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He later joined Washington and helped them win Super Bowl XXII in 1988, becoming the first Black starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl and be named Super Bowl MVP.
Williams is a member of several Halls of Fame, including the College Football Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Washington D.C. Sports Hall of Fame, and the Grambling Legends Hall of Fame. He was also named a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025.
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Joining Williams in the 2025 LPB Legends class were:
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, a leader in strengthening communities and the fight against hunger.
John H. Dalton, the 70th Secretary of the Navy appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993.
Dan Borném, a distinguished member in media, government, education, industry, and healthcare.
Judi Betts, an internationally acclaimed watercolor painter, instructor, juror, and author.
The Goldring Family, who have funded nonprofit organizations in Greater New Orleans and support 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. The whole thing was an amazing experience. Like my dad would say, I was in tall cotton.'
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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 attributed his selection as a Louisiana Legend to his continued efforts outside of football.
'I think some of the things I've done off the football field, and continue to do, play 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.'
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Williams said being the first Black quarterback to play in and win a Super Bowl only ranks third on his list of biggest impacts.
'There are 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, located 14 miles from 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, seeing how they've gone off and what they've done with their lives to be successful, 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.'
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Williams said he is also proud of founding the Legacy Bowl, which aims to impact not just the players involved but also students from HBCUs nationwide. These students gather in New Orleans each year to attend a job fair held in conjunction with the game.
'What we're trying to do 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. Then the job fair they go to, along with HBCU students from all across the country — that's another impact I'm proud of.'
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