ATLANTA, Ga.) – The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) will introduce its 14th Class tonight in Atlanta – the Class of 2023. Eight inductees were selected from a list of 25 Finalists who had been determined earlier by the BCFHOF Selection Committee.  

The Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 includes… Leslie Frazier (Alcorn State University), Henry "Killer" Lawrence(Florida A&M University), Albert Lewis (Grambling State University), Jim Marsalis (Tennessee State University), Tyrone McGriff(Florida A&M University), Elijah Pitts (Philander Smith College), Johnnie Walton (Elizabeth City State University), and Coach Pete Richardson (Southern University, Winston Salem State University).

"This Class is another representation of the immense football talent that has played at historically black colleges and universities," said BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee Doug Williams. "Several of these players were college All-Americans, high NFL draft picks and Pro Bowlers." 

Votes were tallied from the 11-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators, and historians, as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from members of the BCFHOF to determine the Inductees.  

The Dayton, Ohio native coached at SU from 1993-2009, Richardson had five 11-win seasons -- including a 12-1 run in 2003. His career record, including five seasons at Division II Winston-Salem State, was 175-76-1. Over a 17-year span, Richardson defined Southern football and, with 134 wins, is second all-time in wins behind only A.W. Mumford.

Richardson led Southern University football to five Southwestern Athletic Conference titles, including a three-peat from 1997-99 (the school's first consecutive SWAC titles since 1959-60), four black college national titles (1993, 1995, 1997 and 2003) and four Heritage Bowl titles. Richardson was 12-5 in the Bayou Classic and is the only SWAC coach never to have lost to Eddie Robinson. 
His winning percentage of 68.4 percent in 17 seasons (134-62) at the school is second behind only College Football Hall of Fame coach A.W. "Ace' Mumford's 70.4 percent (176-60-14). Prior to his arrival, Southern had last won the SWAC in 1966 and 1975. The program had four different head coaches in the 1970s and four between 1981 and 1992.

The Class of 2023 will be honored at the 14th Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons on June 10, 2023. The Induction Ceremony takes place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.  

They will also be recognized at halftime of the Second Annual HBCU Legacy Bowl on February 25, 2023 at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, LA, which will be broadcast live on NFL Network (3:00pm CT).  

For more information please visit www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org. 

About the Black College Football Hall of Fame 
The Black College Football Hall of Fame was established in October 2009 to honor the greatest football players and coaches from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Its trustees are football legends Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams. The Black College Football Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Shack Harris & Doug Williams Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization. 

About the HBCU Legacy Bowl 
The HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame is a postseason all-star game that showcases the top 100 NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game will be played on the Saturday, February 25, 2023 (Yulman Stadium at Tulane University), and broadcast live on NFL Network. More than a football game, the week-long celebration of Black culture and history will provide invaluable exposure for HBCU students. HBCU Legacy Bowl Founding Partners include the National Football League, adidas, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and his 15 and the MahomiesFoundation, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, Home Depot, New Orleans Saints, Riddell, State Farm, Sugar Bowl, Tulane University, Zebra Technologies, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Follow the HBCU Legacy Bowl on social media via @HBCULegacyBowl or visit www.HBCULegacyBowl.com for more information.

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