CANTON, Ohio — Fans gathered to watch the 2022 Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic on Sept. 4. For many fans, the event was about much more than just the game.
Community, education and representation were some of the reasons fans said they came out to watch the game.
“Well, as far as football goes, I think through representation is important, through any type of people, through any type of race, to like kind of support your own, to support your own type of people,” Tavian Morgan said. “So, I think it’s good. And the fact that [historically Black colleges and universities] have lasted through like the past until this time of day, it’s like, it’s important.”
The game took place at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s a location that reminded some visitors of the legends that graduated from historically Black schools.
“When I was coming up, Doug Williams was the man,” James Austin said.
Fans travelled from locations near and far to be at the game.
“I’m a graduate of [an] HBCU [called,] Albany State College. ‘Go Rams! Albany, GA.’ We live in Augusta and we are here celebrating,” Loretha Thomas said.
Even though the crowd represented a variety of schools and states, the collective support for a system of schools that prioritizes the Black experience united them.
“HBCUs need all the help they can get now. Central State [University], even though it’s a state school, is small, it doesn’t get the kind of money, say a big school like Ohio State gets,” Charles Spain said. “So any time you can support them, I think we should.”
