CANTON − James “Shack” Harris recalled when legendary sportscaster Howard Cosell posed a query to Grambling State College soccer coach Eddie Robinson.
Though the legendary Robinson had seen scores of his athletes play within the NFL, the provocative Cosell requested him why none of them had been a quarterback.
So Robinson instructed Harris that in 4 years he would go away Grambling ready to play quarterback for an NFL staff.
Harris shared the story throughout an look Thursday night time with fellow Grambling alum and former NFL quarterback Doug Williams. The duo spoke on the Canton Palace Theatre as a part of the Stark County Library’s Dr. Audrey Lavin Talking of Books Creator Collection.
Moderating the dialogue was Adrian Allison, chief relationship officer for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
The occasion additionally was among the many occasions main as much as Sunday’s four p.m. Black School Soccer Corridor of Fame Basic. Central State College faces Winston-Salem State College.
‘They questioned our skill to steer, they questioned our character.’
Recalling Robinson’s plan, Harris stated he was dedicated to taking part in quarterback within the NFL. That is why he plummeted to the eighth spherical of the 1969 draft earlier than being chosen by the Buffalo Payments. Most groups wished to change him to a different place.
However Harris was undeterred, and have become the primary Black quarterback to start out a season in NFL historical past. For the Los Angeles Rams, he grew to become the primary Black quarterback to start out a convention championship recreation. Harris was named to the NFC Professional Bowl staff in 1974.
NFL groups and scouts historically had questioned the intelligence of Black quarterbacks, Harris recalled. “They questioned our skill to steer, they questioned our character,” he stated. “However these are issues I might management, and I wasn’t going to get minimize as a result of I wasn’t sensible sufficient. I wasn’t going to get minimize due to my character.”
‘I used to be the Washington Redskins quarterback who simply occurred to be Black.’
Williams, in the meantime, adopted Harris’ trailblazing path because the No. 17 total draft choose of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1978. He would lead the franchise into the playoffs earlier than leaving the NFL for a stint within the USFL.
Returning to the NFL with the Washington Redskins, Williams led the staff to a Tremendous Bowl victory in 1988 whereas being named MVP. He was the primary Black quarterback to start out in a Tremendous Bowl.
Williams, nevertheless, does not view his Tremendous Bowl feats by way of the lens of pores and skin coloration.
“That wasn’t essential to me,” he stated. “I used to be the Washington Redskins quarterback who simply occurred to be Black.”
The remark drew a burst of applause from the theater viewers.
Williams spoke modestly of his record-setting efficiency, shortly crediting the offensive line and different teammates for his or her contributions.
“Nobody man’s going to win a recreation by himself,” he stated. “You want the staff.”
Each males instructed the Palace Theatre viewers of the discrimination and obstacles they’d confronted as youth. Nevertheless, it was Robinson whom they praised and credited for shaping them each on and off the soccer discipline. Lecturers, religion and character had been prioritized as a lot as soccer, Williams and Harris defined.
“Failure is whenever you fail to arrange for a possibility when it comes,” Harris stated.
Added Williams: “It wasn’t about going to the NFL; it was about caring for your self and your loved ones whenever you left Grambling.”
Williams and Harris stated their story is reflective of different gamers from Traditionally Black Schools and Universities. A few of them proved their talents within the NFL. Others had been by no means given the chance.
That is why Harris and Williams co-founded the Black School Soccer Corridor of Fame earlier than a everlasting residence was secured on the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in Canton.
Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame officers “felt this was a spot the place our story needs to be instructed,” Harris stated.
Ten % of Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame inductees are from an Traditionally Black School and College, he famous.
“One purpose we wished this story to be instructed is we predict these gamers and coaches have contributed a lot to (skilled soccer),” Harris stated.
Attain Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com
On Twitter @ebalintREP
