Former Grambling State University standout quarterback Doug Williams will receive the 2013 Davey O’Brien Legends Award for his outstanding contributions to the game of football both on and off the field.
The award will be presented to Williams at the 37th Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner on Feb. 17 in Fort Worth.
“What it says to me is, some people value what I’ve done in life as something to be recognized and I’m humbled by that,” Super Bowl XXII MVP Williams said. “Everybody may not look at from that stand point and that’s fine because at the end of the day, you got a lot of people who understand what Doug Williams means to a lot of people and what that have done.”
Williams, who was rated the best HBCU player off all-time in 2011 according to Donald Hunt of ESPN Sportsnation, began his career as a G-Men in 1974 and he dominated. As a player he led the Tigers to three SWAC titles, was named Black College Player of the Year twice and had an overall record of 36-7 in his four years.
He flourished in his college career and it resulted in him being a first round pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1978 NFL draft. There his contributions led the Buccs to their first playoff appearance.
In 1986 Williams joined the Washington Redskins and his career became legendary. In 1988 Williams beat out Hall of Famer John Elway and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII becoming the first and only Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
A decade later, Williams returned to Grambling State and succeeded legendary coach Eddie Robinson and won three consecutive SWAC titles. Then he returned in 2011 and captured another title giving him a total of seven SWAC championships, four as a coach and three as a player.
With all the success throughout Williams’ career, it’s no secret that Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee chose him to receive the prestige award.
“We’re honored to present Doug Williams with the 2013 Davey O’Brien Legends Award,” Scott Murray, Chair of the Legends Committee for the Davey O’Brien Foundation said. “Doug remains a true pioneer in the National Football League as the first African-American quarterback to win a Super Bowl and we look forward to celebrating his achievements at our Awards Dinner.”
Although Williams is in a class of his own being the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl and capturing the MVP and first Black recipient of Davey O’Brien Legends Award he will join an elite class.
Others who have received the award include Eddie LeBaron (2012), Jim Kelly (2011), Bob Griese (2010), Dan Fouts (2009), Joe Theismann (2008), Steve Spurrier (2007), Paul Hornung (2006), Len Dawson (2005), Archie Manning (2004), Terry Bradshaw (2003), Bart Starr (2002) and Roger Staubach (2001).