Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Super Bowl LI

Super Bowl LI

Florida A&M University Football Legend Bob Hayes Honored at Super Bowl LI

Posted on

Interim President Robinson, Hayes Family Attend Game, Events Honoring 29 HBCU Greats

Just minutes before Super Bowl LI kicked off in Houston, Texas, fans cheered during an emotional pregame, on-field tribute to 29 NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame players, including Florida A&M University (FAMU) legend Robert “Bullet Bob” Hayes. The late two-sport Rattler is the only athlete to win a Super Bowl ring and Olympic gold medals.RobinsonHayesSisters
At the invitation of the NFL, FAMU’s Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and Hayes’ family members attended the game and a weekend of special events dedicated to trailblazers who attended historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Hayes died in 2002 at the age of 59. He was enshrined posthumously into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in July 2009.
“The crowd showed tremendous respect for Bob Hayes and all of the HBCU honorees,” Robinson said. “It touched me deeply. Bob’s family, as well as all Rattlers, should be extremely proud.”
Hayes’ sisters, Lucille Hester of Washington, D.C., and Georgette Sanders of Jacksonville, Florida, reflected on their brother’s legacy and the perseverance of HBCU athletes who succeeded without sophisticated equipment.
“They will inspire so many of the young ones to look up and say ‘this could be me,'” Hester said. “For Bob to be a part of the 29 is remarkable. We thank the FAMU family for their support and participation.”
Hayes enjoyed a successful career with the Dallas Cowboys and a stint with the San Francisco 49ers. Many credit the legendary Rattler with revolutionizing professional football with his world-class sprinter’s speed.
The names and photos of six late HBCU greats, including Hayes and Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears, were shown along with a video presentation at NRG Stadium before the other Hall of Fame players walked onto the field as an announcer called each of their names.
In December 2016, the NFL joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) at the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia to kick off an enhanced partnership initiative titled, “Strength of HBCUs: Impacting Pro Football Since 1948.”
The goal of the partnership is to honor the history and impact of HBCUs and their players and increase career opportunities for students and athletic administrators at these institutions.
Photo (Left to right: Lucille Hester, Larry Robinson, Ph.D.,  and Georgette Sanders): On Sunday, Feb. 5, FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and Bob Hayes’ sisters Lucille Hester and Georgette Sanders celebrated his legacy and impact at NRG Stadium.

 

FAMU Legend Bob Hayes to be Honored by NFL at Super Bowl LI

Posted on

Rattler Football Great Among 29 HBCU Legends to be Recognized in February

Robert “Bullet Bob” Hayes, undoubtedly the greatest male student-athlete produced by the legendary athletic program at Florida A&M University (FAMU), will be among the 29 historically Black college and university (HBCU) gridiron greats honored in February by the National Football League (NFL) during the Super Bowl LI festivities in Houston, Texas.

Bob Hayes
Bob Hayes

In December 2016, the NFL joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) at the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia to kick off an enhanced partnership initiative titled, “Strength of HBCUs: Impacting Pro Football Since 1948.” The goal of the partnership is to honor the history and impact of HBCUs and their players and increase career opportunities for students and athletic administrators at these institutions.
The NFL announced that its celebration of the influence of HBCUs and their players will continue at this year’s Super Bowl, where it will honor the 29 Pro Football Hall of Fame players who attended HBCUs, culminating with an on-field, pregame ceremony featuring the Hall of Famers at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017.
Hayes was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in July 2009, seven years after his death in September of 2002, at the age of 59. The legendary two-sport Rattler was credited by many with revolutionizing the game of professional football with his world-class sprinter’s speed. In addition to a successful career with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and a stint with the San Francisco 49ers, Hayes was an Olympic gold medalist, and earned the nicknames, “Bullet Bob” and “World’s Fastest Human.”
FAMU’s Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., expressed the University’s appreciation for the NFL’s commitment to HBCUs, and for the unique way it will honor one of the institution’s most beloved sons.
“I commend the NFL for honoring Bob Hayes along with the other well-deserving HBCU greats,” Robinson said. “I look forward to representing FAMU and Rattler sports at one of the world’s most widely viewed athletic events.”
He added, “The University has worked with the NFL on several previous occasions, including our Marching ‘100’s’ performance at Super Bowl XLI with the late music legend, Prince. We look forward to a growing and fruitful relationship with one of the most influential brands in the world.”
In a recent statement, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent said, “the HBCU influence on the NFL goes beyond the evolution of the game and reaches deep into the very fabric of football.”
“Our partnership with the HBCUs is an important initiative which celebrates the tremendous legacy fostered by these institutions that continue to contribute a standard of excellence and character for our game,” Vincent said.