Eddie Robinson’s Legacy and the NFL Hall of Fame

ByGuest Columnist

Oct 30, 2024

The late Coach Eddie Robinson of Grambling State University belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. On October 16, 2024, Robinson was named one of 25 semifinalists for potential induction as a contributor. This recognition is long overdue, as Robinson’s impact on professional football remains unmatched.

Early Beginnings and First NFL Pioneer

Robinson launched his record-setting coaching career at Grambling State University in 1941. Within a decade, he saw his first player, Paul “Tank” Younger, reach the NFL. Younger joined the Los Angeles Rams in 1949, becoming the first African American player from a historically Black college to enter the league. He also became one of the league’s first Black players, marking a pivotal moment in NFL history.

Building a Legacy of NFL Players

Younger was Robinson’s first major contribution to the NFL, but he would not be the last. Robinson went on to help over 200 Grambling players enter professional football, including four who became Hall of Famers. The NFL named two of these players among its top 100 of all time. Author Denny Dressman’s biography, Eddie Robinson…He was the Martin Luther King of Football, details Robinson’s legacy, noting the nearly 500 combined playing years amassed by Robinson’s former Tigers.

Related: The Real Goat- Eddie Robinson

Robinson’s influence extended beyond player numbers. In 1971, an unprecedented 43 former Grambling players attended NFL camps, a feat highlighting his influence. ESPN writer Greg Garber later credited Robinson’s guidance of quarterbacks like James “Shack” Harris and Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams with paving the way for Black quarterbacks in the NFL.

Hall of Fame Players from Grambling

Among Robinson’s Hall of Fame players, Willie Davis became one of the first HBCU athletes drafted into the NFL. Another, Junious “Buck” Buchanan, was the first Black college player chosen as the top overall draft pick. Buchanan is also recognized as the NFL’s greatest player to wear the number 86. Charley Joyner, another Robinson standout, retired as the league’s all-time leading receiver.

Few coaches have sent as many players to the NFL as Eddie Robinson, solidifying his place in football history.

Robinson and HBCUs in NFL Growth

Historically Black colleges played a crucial role in the development of pro football, with Robinson leading the charge. During the early 1960s, when the NFL showed reluctance in recruiting from Black colleges, the AFL welcomed the talent from HBCUs. This influx of talent provided the AFL with leverage for its merger with the NFL, expanding the league from 16 to 24 teams.

Three of Robinson’s Hall of Famers—Willie Brown, Willie Davis, and Charley Joyner—became AFL stars. Two, Buchanan and Davis, played in the first Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers.

Canton Awaits Eddie Robinson

Coach Eddie Robinson’s contributions to pro football, as both a coach and mentor, speak for themselves. The Pro Football Hall of Fame should recognize his role in shaping the game. Coach Robinson deserves a place in Canton.