Yesterday, Grambling State University announced they would be honoring two of their legendary players, Doug Williams and James “Shack” Harris”, by naming the field inside Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium after them.
During the Tigers’ homecoming game against Alabama A&M on Saturday, October 14th, the field will officially become James ‘Shack” Harris and Doug Williams Field at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
“It is our pleasure to honor two of the greatest members of the Grambling State football family,” said Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Trayvean Scott in a statement. “These two men have long represented what it means to be a G-Man and have achieved so much while breaking down barriers that few thought were attainable during their playing days. We can’t wait to add another brick to castle of greatness they’ve built.”
If any two men deserve that honor, it’s Harris and Williams.
As a three-year starter for the Tigers, Harris amassed a 24-5-1 record
As a three-year starter, Harris led the Tigers to a 24-5-1 record and became of the greatest quarterbacks in Grambling St. history.
He was then drafted by the Bills in the eighth round of the 1969 NFL Draft and became the first Black player to start at QB in modern NFL history. After heading to LA, he led the Rams to an NFC West Division title in 1974 and the team’s first playoff win since 1951. He also became the first Black QB to start a conference championship game, was named to the Pro Bowl and won Pro Bowl MVP.
After retiring from the pros, he held executive positions with the Ravens, Jaguars and Lions. Harris was also elected to 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.
“This is an outstanding honor for me, my family, coaches and all my teammates. I would like to thank President Rick Gallot, AD Trayvean Scott and the Grambling family for this dedication,” said Hararis, a native of Monroe, LA. “Sharing it with Doug Williams makes it even more special. I am very fortunate to have played for the great Coach Eddie Robinson. I am forever grateful to Grambling for providing me an education and tremendous HBCU experience. I hope my career represented Grambling well and made you proud. Thanks again and God bless.”
While Doug Williams is most recognized for thrashing the Broncos in Super Bowl XXII, 42-10, as the starting QB for Washington and becoming the first Black QB to win a Super Bowl, Williams’ accomplishments at Grambling deserve equal praise.
He was a four-year starter for the Tigers, leading Grambling to a 36-7 record and three SWAC titles during his tenure. He was also named the Black College Football Player of the Year twice and in 1977, he finished fourth in the Heisman voting.
In 1978, Williams was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 17th pick of the first round in the NFL Draft, becoming the first Black QB to be drafted in the opening round. In his first five seasons, he took the Bucs to the playoffs three times, including the 1979 NFC Championship Game.
After a year at Morehouse as its head football coach, Williams returned to Grambling in 1998 as its new head football coach. Two years later, he led the team to a 10-2 record and a SWAC title. The next year they went 10-1 and won the Black College Football National Title and in 2002, he had a three-peat with another SWAC title and an 11-2 record.
Williams headed back to pro football as an executive with Tampa Bay and the UFL’s Virginia Destroyers before returning to Grambling and won another SWAC title in 2011. He then became an executive with Washington in 2014, and he’s remained with the team ever since.
He 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 Tampa Stadium Krewe of Honor, and the Washington Commanders Ring of Honor.
“This is so surreal for me. This is such a humbling honor to have James “Shack” Harris and my name plastered on a field in Eddie Robinson stadium,” said Williams. “This is something that will stand time for my kids and grandkids to see. I would like to thank President Rick Gallot and Athletic Director Trayvean Scott for having the vision for such a beautiful and wonderful honor. I also want to say this for all the guys I have had the pleasure of playing with and to let them how much a part that they played.”
Congrats to Doug Willams and James Harris!
