**Courtesy of the Black College Football Hall of Fame**
Atlanta, GA (August 15, 2018) – The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced today the 2018 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University. Former North Carolina A&T, and current Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2016; and Bowie State sophomore quarterback Amir Hall was the 2017 recipient.
The winner of the 2018 Black College Football Player of the Year Award will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which takes place on February 16, 2019 in Atlanta. Four finalists will be unveiled on November 29.
“HBCU football has outstanding talent, as evidenced in this year’s NFL Draft,” said Super Bowl MVP quarterback Doug Williams, a BCFHOF co-founder and 2011 inductee. “This Award is a way that the Black College Football Hall of Fame is is able to recognize these talented student-athletes.”
“The Deacon Jones Trophy is the most prestigious football award for HBCUs,” said BCFHOF co-founder and 2012 inductee James Harris. “Deacon Jones was a pioneer and an icon, and still to this day represents the very best of Black College Football.”
The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2018 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by a Selection Committee.
ABOUT THE BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
The Black College Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 by African-American pioneers, quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There have been 77 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees. Its permanent home is currently being constructed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
ABOUT DEACON JONES
David “Deacon” Jones played defensive end for South Carolina State University and Mississippi Valley State University from 1958 to 1960. Blessed with speed, agility, and quickness, the “Deacon” became one of the finest pass rushers in the business. He won unanimous All-NFL honors six straight years from 1965 through 1970 and was selected to eight Pro Bowls. Jones is an inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2010) and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org
www.Twitter.com/BCFHOF
www.Facebook.com/BCFHOF
www.Instagram/BlackCollegeFootballHOF
