Grambling State University has a long history of Legendary Athletes that have come through the GSU Tigers Football Program. Having a a legendary coach like Eddie G Robinson who coached at the University for 55 years, setting a record of 408 wins. Coach Robinson had to coach some Legendary athletes who are known for making history. Two quarterbacks that will be honored next month is James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams.
Grambling State University of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced the field inside of the Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium will be named after two Grambling State University Legends James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams at the homecoming game against Alabama A&M on 10/14.
James “Shack” Harris played for Grambling State Tigers from 1965-1968 winning four SWAC Championships with a record of 24-5 -1. Harris was the drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 1969 NFL Draft and was the first African American player to start a season as the starting quarterback. Harris led the LA Rams to their first playoff victory since 1951 and a NFC West Division Championship in 1974. James “Shack” Harris held multiple executive positions in the NFL once his playing career was over. Harris held executive positions with the Baltimore Raves, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Detroit Lions.
Doug Williams played for Grambling State Tigers from 1974-1977 winning 3 SWAC Championships with a record of 36-7. In 1977 Dough Williams received a lot of buzz as a Heisman Trophy candidate from his play on the field. Williams led the NCAA in several categories that season, total yards from scrimmage 3,249, passing yards 3286, touchdown passes 38, and yards per play 8.6. Doug Williams finished 4th in the Heisman Trophy race.
Doug Williams was drafted by the Tampa Buccaneers with the 17th pick in 1978 NFL Draft. Williams led the Tampa Buccaneers to 3 playoff appearances in his first five seasons. Williams went on to play for the Oklahoma/Arizona Outlaws from 1984-1985, the was picked up by the Washington Redskins in 1986-1989. In 1988, Doug Williams was the first African American quarterback to start and win the Super Bowl and was named Super Bowl MVP.
Doug Williams became Grambling State University Head Football Coach taking over the reigns from the Legendary Grambling State Head Coach, Eddie G Robinson in 1998. Doug Williams won three consecutive SWAC titles from 2000-2002 with records of (2000)10-2 overall record, (2001)10-1, and (2002) 11-2, a HBCU National Championship in 2001, and a SWAC West Division Championship in 2003. After taking time away, Doug Williams led the Grambling State Tigers to another SWAC Championship in 2011.
Doug Williams like Harris served in executive roles with the NFL after his playing career was over. Doug Williams severed in executive roles with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was the general manager of the Virginia Destroyers in the United Football League. Williams has served as an executive for the Washington Commanders since 2014.
James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams both have a slew of accolades behind their names. James “Shack” Harris is a member of the SWAC Hall of Fame, The Grambling Legends Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Black College Hall of Fame, and the National Quarterback Club Hall of Fame.
Doug Williams is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, the Black College Football Hall of Fame, the Grambling Legends Hall of Fame, the SWAC Hall of Fame, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor, the Bucs Krewe of Honor, and the Washington Commanders Ring of Honor.
Seeing these two athletes be bestowed such a great honor, means even more with the hard work Harris and Williams put in to create the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2009, that will preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)