Jackson State football legends W.C. Gorden and JSU Head Coach Harold Jackson have been named as finalists for the 2015 Black College Football Hall of Fame.
Gorden is on this list as a coach and Jackson as a player.
Seven inductees will be named from 25 finalists to be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014.
Inductees will be honored during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on Feb. 28, 2015 in Atlanta, Ga.
Jackson, a five-time All-Pro wide receiver and 10-year National Football League coaching veteran, is in his first season as the Jackson State University head football coach, named January 13, 2014.
A 1968 JSU graduate, Jackson is a native of Hattiesburg, and a member of both the Mississippi and JSU Sports Hall of Fames.
Following an outstanding collegiate career at Jackson State, Jackson enjoyed a sterling 16-year NFL playing career with the Los Angeles Rams (1968, 1973-77), Philadelphia Eagles (1969-72), New England Patriots (1978-81), Minnesota Vikings (1982) and Seattle Seahawks (1983).
Jackson played on eight playoff teams as a pro. His career totals include 579 receptions for 10,372 yards and 76 touchdowns. Jackson had 29 career 100-yard games and three 1,000-yard seasons and he ranks 35th in league history in receiving yardage with 10,372. Jackson also led the NFL in receptions in 1972 and in receiving yardage in both 1969 and 1972.
Gorden was JSU’s winningest football coach. He was named head coach in 1977 and served until 1991. Over a period of four years (1985-1988) JSU won 28 straight Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) football games. The Tigers compiled an overall record of 119-48-5 and claimed eight SWAC championships between 1980 and 1990.
His athletes also excelled in the classroom. In 1980-81, the NCAA issued its first comprehensive graduation rate scorecard and JSU led the state with a 61.9 percent.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
For more on Jackson, see: https://www.jsutigers.com/
For more on Gorden, see: https://www.