Sports

Grambling State mourns loss of Melvin Lee

Grambling State University mourns the loss of former Tigers football legend, Melvin Lee, who passed away on last week.

“Coach Melvin Lee was a true Grambling legend,” Grambling State President Rick Gallot said. “His impact on Grambling State University football was immense and will continue to live on. Christy and I will keep his wife Pauline in our prayers.”

Lee, a 2010 Grambling Legends Hall of Famer, was a tri-captain of the 1955 undefeated National Championship team. The New Orleans native earned a pair of Mid-Western Conference honors as he played for the Black and Gold from 1952-1955. 

In addition, the Bayou Classic XXIII Honoree was an offensive coordinator under head coach Eddie Robinson from 1960-1997.

Prior to playing football at Grambling State, Lee attended Clark High School in New Orleans where he earned a spot on the All-City district team and had planned to play collegiate football at Dillard. However, a friend convinced him to enroll at Grambling State.

 Lee tried out for the GSU football team in 1952 and as a undersized player, he saw action as a center and linebacker, helping the Tigers to the program’s first Black College Football National Championship.

Melvin Lee played football for and later coached the Tigers.