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Washington – More than 50 former football players and coaches, including several Pro Football Hall of Famers and Super Bowl MVPs, announced their endorsements Friday of Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz 2024 US Presidential Election. The group represents 25 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and consists of 10 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, two Super Bowl champions and MVP, former no. .
“Given his integrity, values and demonstrated commitment to justice and equal opportunity, we are confident that, as president, he will serve the best interests of all Americans,” athletes and coaches they said in a letter obtained exclusively by CBS. News.
The letter is signed by Art Shell, the NFL’s first Black coach, Leslie Frasier, former Minnesota Vikings coach, James “Shack” Harris, the NFL’s first black full-time starting quarterback, Greg Coleman, the first punter Black of the NFL, and the former Super. Bowl MVP and Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Richard Dent, who previously played for Tennessee State University.
They join a list of athletes supporting the Democratic Harris-Walz ticket, including NBA all-star Steph Curry and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
The announcement was launched on National Black Voter Day, an initiative aimed at getting Black Americans registered to vote by November. The initiative is led by Black Entertainment Television, a division of Paramountwhich partnered with 40 civic organizations including the NAACP and the National Urban League.
It also follows Harris’ appearance this week before the National Association of Black Journalists in Philadelphia, where she was asked about her standing among Black men. A recent survey conducted by the NAACP found about a quarter of young African Americans under 50 support former President Donald Trump, while about half back Harris.
“I think it’s very important not to operate from the assumption that black men are in somebody’s pocket,” Harris said during the NABJ interview. “I’m working to get the vote, not assuming I’m going to get it because I’m Black.”
Harris is an alumna of Howard University and will become the first HBCU graduate to serve as president if she is elected. The Harris campaign touted its HBCU ties, citing the Biden-Harris administration’s record investments in historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions.
“As a proud graduate of Howard University, I know firsthand that our HBCUs are centers of academic excellence.” Harris said in a White House statement in May. “For generations, these anchors of our communities have played a pivotal role in building and contributing to America’s leadership at home and abroad.”
The Howard graduate is not shy about showing his sports enthusiasm, especially for his alma mater. In December, Harris attended the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, along with Howard and Florida A&M University. She also cheered on her fellow Howard Bisons in Des Moines when they made the first round of the NCAA tournament last year.
Nicole Killion
