By KENNEDI A. COX
Jackson State University’s former Head Football Coach Harold “Sunny” Jackson was recently selected for induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) Class of 2017.
Jackson was one of six inductees chosen from a list of 25 finalists. Votes were tallied from the 12-member selection committee composed of journalists, commentators, historians, former NFL general managers and executives and previous inductees.
“This class is another representation of the immense football talent that has played at historically black colleges and universities,” said BCFHOF co-founder and 2012 inductee James “Shack” Harris.
Jackson, born Jan. 6, 1946, in Hattiesburg, Miss., was a wide receiver for JSU from 1964-1967. He led the two-time first team All-SWAC in receptions. After college, he was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 12th round of the 1968 NFL Draft.
Jackson spent 16 seasons in the NFL with five different teams (Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks). He led the NFL twice in receiving yards. On top of that, he was selected for Pro Bowl five times and was part of the First Team All-Pro in 1973.
Retiring with 10,372 yards, the second most in NFL history at the time, he earned his spot in the BCFHOF.
Other members of the Class of 2017 include: Parnell “Paydirt” Dickinson (Mississippi Valley State); Gary “Big Hands” Johnson (Grambling State); Robert Porcher (South Carolina State and Tennessee State); Isiah “Butch” Robertson (Southern University); and Coach Billy Joe (Cheyney, Central State, Florida A&M and Miles College).
The Class of 2017 will be honored at the Eighth Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by the Atlanta Falcons, on Feb. 25, 2017. The event will be in the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Also, inductees will be recognized at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 17. For more information visit www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.