September 17, 1967.
The New Orleans Saints were playing the first regular-season game in franchise history.
Before the Super Bowl appearances. Before the Pro Bowlers. Before the records, legends and decades of Saints football…
There was John Gilliam.
A rookie out of South Carolina State College.
The opening kickoff was sent his way.
Gilliam caught it.
Then he took off.
94 YARDS.
TOUCHDOWN.
On the very first play of the New Orleans Saints’ first regular-season game, John Gilliam became the player who scored the first touchdown in franchise history.
Think about that.
The Saints hadn’t even played a regular-season snap before Gilliam put his name in the history books.
And he did it as a South Carolina State Bulldog.
Gilliam would go on to build an 11-year NFL career and earn Pro Bowl recognition, but his story began at an HBCU, where preparation and opportunity helped put him in position to make history on one of the biggest stages in professional football.
His story is another reminder that HBCUs have never simply produced athletes.
They’ve produced history-makers.
From the classroom to the football field, the foundation built at an HBCU can open doors to opportunities that last a lifetime.
One play. 94 yards. One HBCU Bulldog.
And a place forever in New Orleans Saints history and another instance of an HBCU man or woman leaving an indelible impact on any space they inhabit.
