FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/04/19

NFL TEAMS UP WITH CITY OF BIRMINGHAM FOR 78TH MAGIC CITY CLASSIC

In a continuance of the NFL’s 100th season celebration, the league is partnering with the Magic City Classic, the largest Historically Black College & University (HBCU) sporting event in the country.

“This is a celebration of the longstanding tradition of the HBCU culture of values, excellence, and commitment to the sport of football and the broader community at large,” said TROY VINCENT, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. “The 78th Magic City Classic is a dynamic week of impact, illustrating the contributions of HBCUs both on and off the field.”

The NFL has a long association with SWAC institutions, which have developed some of the greats of the game, including Pro Football Hall of Famers WALTER PAYTON (Jackson State), JERRY RICE (Mississippi Valley State), MICHAEL STRAHAN (Texas Southern), and AENEAS WILLIAMS (Southern).

“The Southwestern Athletic Conference is extremely excited to partner with the National Football League and the city of Birmingham for an annual venture that we feel will greatly benefit HBCUs, our conference and the local community,” said SWAC Commissioner DR. CHARLES MCCLELLAND. “The SWAC is fully committed to working with the NFL and the city of Birmingham’s leadership on a broad range of social issues that significantly impact HBCUs and the African-American community. This program and partnership further illustrate the NFL’s and City of Birmingham’s commitment to going the extra mile to bring impactful positive change to all of those that seek it, while also recognizing former HBCU NFL Alumni that over the course of their respective careers have and continue to serve as positive role models for our youth.”

Featuring and Alabama A&M University, the 78th Annual Magic City Classic will be hosted at in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, October 26.

On Friday, October 25, NFL Legends from both institutions will participate in an NFL Play Football youth clinic and NFL100 Legacy Luncheon. The celebration will continue on Saturday, October 26, as the NFL will be integrated into various gameday elements. NFL Legends will additionally participate in a pre-game ceremony to honor the impact they have had on the game.

Magic City Madden, a virtual youth gaming tournament, will take place during the week with the NFL providing prizes for top participants.

Birmingham city councilor WILLIAM PARKER, who manages the relationship with the NFL on behalf of the city of Birmingham, states, "This partnership with the NFL is just the beginning of a long-term relationship the city plans to develop with the league."

In 2016, the NFL partnered with two preeminent HBCU athletic conferences – the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) – to increase opportunities for ethnic minorities, both professionals and students, interested in pursuing careers in football administration. In addition to the NFL providing much-needed support to academic and athletic endeavors, the partnership with the MEAC and SWAC provides programs that include internships at the club and league level, integration of their football operations staff – including athletic trainers, video directors and equipment managers – into existing NFL platforms such as the Regional Combines, and networking and mentorship opportunities.

The full list of NFL Alumni from Alabama State University and Alabama A&M can be found below:

Tovar Allen, Alabama State Jamel Johnson, Alabama State Johnny Baldwin, Alabama A&M Jamaal Johnson-Webb, Alabama A&M Howard Ballard, Alabama A&M Terren Jones, Alabama State Reggie Barlow, Alabama State Frank Kearse, Alabama A&M Brandon Barnes, Alabama State Bill Kindricks, Alabama A&M Brad Baxter, Alabama State Anthony Lanier, Alabama A&M Yurik Bethune, Alabama A&M Saeed Lee, Alabama State Ricky Blake, Alabama A&M Fred Lester, Alabama A&M Reggie Brown, Alabama State Chad Lucas, Alabama State Nigel Carr, Alabama State Emanuel Martin, Alabama State Earl Cochran, Alabama State Robert Mathis, Alabama A&M Michael Coe, Alabama State Ralph Miller, Alabama State Ronnie Coleman, Alabama A&M Wayne Mosley, Alabama A&M Isaiah Crowell, Alabama State Zefross Moss, Alabama State Buddy Davis, Alabama State Joe Patton, Alabama A&M Ernest French, Alabama A&M Karl Powe, Alabama State Curtis Green, Alabama State Eddie Robinson, Alabama State Terry Greer, Alabama State Kendrick Rogers, Alabama A&M Kenyon Hambrick, Alabama A&M Tyrone Rogers, Alabama State Roderick Henderson, Alabama State Oliver Ross, Alabama A&M Damon Hodge, Alabama State Terrence Simmons, Alabama State Thomas Hopkins, Alabama A&M Franky Smith, Alabama A&M Tytus Howard, Alabama State Ricky Smith, Alabama State Johnny Huggins, Alabama State John Stallworth, Alabama A&M Anquez Jackson, Alabama A&M Rodell Thomas, Alabama State Tarvaris Jackson, Alabama State Barry Wagner, Alabama A&M Gregory Jenkins, Alabama State Jylan Ware, Alabama State

About Magic City Classic: The Magic City Classic is the largest historically black college and university (HBCU) football game in the country with over 200,000 in attendance. Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University play in the game annually at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, and the winner could potentially earn a spot in the SWAC Championship. Festivities surrounding the game include the Classic Kickoff, Magic City Classic Parade, Tailgate Party and the famed halftime show performed by the Mighty Marching Hornets and the Marching Maroon and White.