Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has received a significant endorsement from football legends of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The group, made up of former players and coaches—including several Pro Football Hall of Famers and Super Bowl MVPs—announced their support for Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, in the 2024 U.S. presidential election on Friday.
Representing 25 HBCUs, the group includes 10 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, two Super Bowl champions and MVPs, former No. 1 overall draft picks, and trailblazing Black athletes and coaches who helped break racial barriers in the sport.
“Given [Vice President Harris’] integrity, values, and demonstrated commitment to justice and equality of opportunity, we are confident that, as President, she will serve the best interests of all Americans,” the athletes and coaches said in a letter obtained by CBS News.
The letter is signed by prominent figures such as Art Shell, the NFL’s first Black head coach; Leslie Frazier, former Minnesota Vikings coach; James “Shack” Harris, the NFL’s first Black full-time starting quarterback; Greg Coleman, the NFL’s first Black punter; and former Super Bowl MVP and Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Richard Dent, who played for Tennessee State University.
They join a growing list of athletes backing the Harris-Walz Democratic ticket, which also includes NBA All-Star Steph Curry and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
READ ALSO: New Poll: Kamala Harris gains majority support among Black swing-state voters
The HBCU legends made their announcement on National Black Voter Day, a day dedicated to encouraging Black Americans to register to vote before November. The initiative is led by Black Entertainment Television (BET), a division of Paramount, in partnership with 40 civic organizations, including the NAACP and the National Urban League.
This endorsement comes after Harris’ appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Philadelphia, where she addressed her support among Black men. A recent NAACP poll showed that roughly a quarter of young African American men 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 anybody’s pocket,” Harris said during the NABJ interview. “I’m working to earn the vote, not assuming I have it because I am Black.”
Harris, an alumna of Howard University, would become the first HBCU graduate to serve as President if elected. Her campaign has emphasized her HBCU roots, highlighting the Biden-Harris administration’s record investments in historically Black colleges 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.”
Harris has frequently showcased her support for sports and her alma mater. In December, she attended the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, which featured Howard and Florida A&M University, and she cheered on the Howard Bisons during their appearance in the NCAA tournament last year in Des Moines.
READ ALSO: What to know about Stevie Wonder’s U.S. tour ahead of the presidential election
