Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning will sponsor six endowment scholarships at historically Black institution of higher learnings (HBCUs) in Louisiana and Tennessee.
Manning grew up in Louisiana and participated in the University of Tennessee. Both states have numerous HBCUs which are important to the state’s cultural identity and economy.
The scholarships are named after prominent individuals who have made an impact not only on their particular institutions but on the nation.
Grambling State University, situated in Louisiana, will have a scholarship named after Doug Williams, who was a quarterback at the school from 1974 to 1977. Williams was also the first Black quarterback to lead his group to a Super Bowl win when he led the then-Washington Redskins to the 1988 NFL title.
Williams, now a senior vice president for the Washington Football Group, learnt Manning had made the contribution to the school after making a couple of calls to the school.
“When I asked who did this, I was told the donor wanted it to be anonymous,” Williams informed ESPN. “I have my connections at Grambling. I made a phone call and discovered out it was Peyton Manning’s structure and it was endowing a half-dozen scholarships at historically Black colleges and universities.”
The scholarship at Tennessee State University will be called after track legend Wilma Rudolph, the very first female to win three gold medals in the Olympics. Southern University’s scholarship will be called after Hall of Popularity large receiver Harold Carmichael, who bet the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Fisk University’s scholarship will be called after Dr. Reavis L. Mitchell Jr., who taught history at Fisk for 4 decades and was a relied on voice on Black history prior to he died this June.
Dr. Norman Francis, who was crucial in rebuilding the New Orleans neighborhood after Hurricane Katrina and was granted the Presidential Medal Of Flexibility, will have the scholarship at Xavier University of Louisiana called after him. Francis worked as president at the university for nearly 50 years.
Last, however certainly not least, is Dillard University, which will have its scholarship named after previous university president and current United Negro College Fund President Dr. Michael Lomax.
Williams stated that Manning ought to be applauded for his donations to HBCUs, which could assist broaden the variety of scholarships to HBCUs.
“I know he’s offered to a lot of terrific causes without promotion, however this was a most pleasant surprise for me,” Williams told ESPN. “I think Peyton needs to be acknowledged so we can expand the circle of possible donors out there for an excellent cause.”