Eagles Hall of Famer Hugh Douglas Reflects on HBCU Legacy

The former defensive end praises his alma mater Central State University and the impact of HBCUs in the NFL.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame defensive end Hugh Douglas reflects on his time at Central State University, an HBCU, and the significance of being part of the Black College Football Hall of Fame. Douglas shares how his experiences at Central State, including going up against his teammate Erik Williams in practice, prepared him for success in the NFL. He also discusses the pride he feels in his HBCU roots and the impact of other HBCU alumni in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Why it matters

Douglas' story highlights the important role that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played in developing top NFL talent over the years. Despite the challenges HBCU athletes have faced, they have made an outsized contribution to the league, making up 10% of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Douglas' reflections shed light on the pride and sense of community that HBCU alumni share.

The details

During his collegiate career at Central State University, a small HBCU in Ohio, Douglas was a dominant pass rusher, recording 42 sacks in 32 games. He led his team to an NAIA Division I National Championship in his sophomore year. Douglas credits his battles in practice against his teammate Erik Williams, a future three-time All-Pro offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, for helping prepare him for the NFL. Despite being overmatched by the larger Williams, Douglas used that experience to motivate himself to get stronger and improve his game.

  • Douglas played at Central State University from 1991 to 1994.
  • He was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
  • Douglas was drafted 16th overall by the New York Jets in 1995 and spent 3 seasons with the team before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998, where he played until 2004.

The players

Hugh Douglas

A Hall of Fame defensive end who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and was a two-time NAIA All-American at Central State University, an HBCU.

Erik Williams

A three-time All-Pro right offensive tackle who helped the Dallas Cowboys win three Super Bowls in the 1990s. He was Douglas' teammate at Central State University and proved to be a formidable challenge in practice.

Mel Blount

A former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback and Pro Football Hall of Famer who also played at an HBCU, Southern University.

Harold Carmichael

A former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver and Pro Football Hall of Famer who played at Southern University, an HBCU.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When I think about it now, I'm Black history. When you think about it, I went to a small school, an HBCU, and I am in the (Black College Football) Hall of Fame and was one of the better pass rushers in the NFL at the time that I was in the NFL.”

— Hugh Douglas (statenews.net)

“When I hear guys like Mel Blount talk and Harold Carmichael talk and they talk about how hard it was and different it was to be a Black athlete from an HBCU and certain things that they didn't have, it's very humbling. To know that I am carrying on that legacy to be a part of that history is humbling.”

— Hugh Douglas (statenews.net)

The takeaway

Douglas' story underscores the profound impact that HBCUs have had on the NFL, producing a disproportionate number of Hall of Famers despite the challenges their student-athletes have faced. His reflections on the pride and sense of community he feels as an HBCU alum highlight the important role these institutions continue to play in developing top Black talent and preserving Black history and culture.