October 26, 2016 (Atlanta, GA) – The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced its Class of 2017 today.
Six inductees were selected from a list of 25 Finalists who had been determined earlier by the BCFHOF Selection Committee.
The Class of 2017 includes Parnell "Paydirt" Dickinson (Mississippi Valley State), Harold "Sunny" Jackson (Jackson State),
Gary "Big Hands" Johnson (Grambling State), Robert Porcher (South Carolina State, Tennessee State),
Isiah "Butch" Robertson (Southern) as player inductees and Coach Billy Joe (Cheyney, Central State, Florida A&M, Miles College).
"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. "All five players were college All-Americans, and three were
first round NFL draft picks."
Votes were tallied from the 12-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators and historians,
as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from previous BCFHOF inductees to determine the Inductees.
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 February 25, 2017. The Induction Ceremony takes place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta,
Georgia.
The Inductees will also be recognized at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on December 17th. For more information please visit
www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.
PARNELL "PAYDIRT" DICKINSON (Player)
Quarterback…Mississippi Valley State University (1972-1975)…Led the Southwestern Athletic Conference
(SWAC) in total offense three seasons …NAIA All-Star Team (1972) … Two-time Black College All-American …
SWAC Hall of Fame (Inaugural Class) …Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 7th round (1976 NFL Draft) …
Buccaneers (1976-1977) … New England Patriots (1978) …Born March 14, 1953 in Brighton, Alabama.
