Image via The Dig
Some of the greatest stories in HBCU football begin long before kickoff. For Howard University head football coach Ted White and former Bison placekicker Jason DeCuir, their story began in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and eventually helped deliver one of the most memorable victories in Howard football history.
In October 2026, their journey came full circle during Howard’s Homecoming celebration.
White, who led the Bison as a quarterback during their 1996 Black College Football National Championship season, returned to Greene Stadium for his first Homecoming game as the program’s head coach. Meanwhile, DeCuir was inducted into the Howard University Athletics Hall of Fame, honoring his contributions to a championship-winning program.
How Jason DeCuir Helped Bring Ted White to Howard
When White was coming out of high school in Baton Rouge, Howard University was not initially on his radar. DeCuir, already a freshman placekicker at Howard, had watched White compete in the same district and believed the talented quarterback deserved a bigger opportunity.
DeCuir took action, sending White’s film to Howard head coach Steve Wilson and helping introduce the quarterback and his family to the university.
Legendary Grambling State quarterback Doug Williams, who became the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl, also helped point White toward Howard.
Those connections helped White see the opportunities awaiting him in Washington, D.C., both academically and on the football field.
DeCuir’s support extended beyond recruiting. As a fellow Baton Rouge native, he helped White adjust to life far from home and build connections within Howard’s community.
That relationship developed into a lifelong brotherhood — one that would eventually become part of Bison football history.
The 1996 Heritage Bowl Comeback That Made History
The partnership between White and DeCuir reached its defining moment in the 1996 Heritage Bowl, when Howard faced Southern University in a matchup carrying special significance for the two Louisiana natives.
Southern, located in Baton Rouge, represented DeCuir’s hometown school. But on that December day, his allegiance was to Howard.
The Bison faced a 24–10 halftime deficit before White helped orchestrate a remarkable comeback.
Early in the fourth quarter, White connected with MacArthur Johnson on an 81-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 24.
With just over three minutes remaining, DeCuir delivered the decisive moment, converting an 18-yard field goal to give Howard a 27–24 lead. A late interception by defensive back Curtis Jones preserved the victory.
Howard had completed one of the most memorable wins in program history, and White and DeCuir had both played crucial roles.
White’s 1996 season also brought major individual recognition. He earned MEAC Player of the Year, MEAC Offensive Player of the Year and Black College Football Player of the Year honors, along with first-team NCAA Division I-AA All-America recognition.
The championship season helped establish his legacy as one of the conference’s accomplished quarterbacks.
From Championship Teammates to Head Coach and Hall of Famer
White continued his football career in the NFL, NFL Europe and Canadian Football League before moving into coaching. His stops included Texas Southern, Southern, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Prairie View A&M, UCLA, Maryland and the Houston Texans.
He also previously coached at Howard from 2011 through 2015, serving as associate head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach before returning to lead the program in January 2026.
DeCuir’s contributions to Howard football earned their own recognition during Homecoming weekend. A member of the Bison’s 1993 and 1996 championship teams, he officially joined the Howard University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Their reunion offered a powerful reminder that the relationships formed through HBCU athletics can endure for decades and influence generations of student-athletes.
Why This Howard Homecoming Story Matters
For Howard, White’s return represents a connection between the program’s championship past and its future. For DeCuir, the Hall of Fame induction celebrates a legacy built on loyalty, teamwork and a willingness to help a talented teammate find his opportunity.
Their story also illustrates the importance of personal connections in college recruiting. One former teammate believed in another player’s potential, made a call and helped open a door that ultimately led to championship glory.
Nearly three decades later, that same bond was celebrated at Greene Stadium — with one friend leading the Bison from the sidelines and the other taking his place among Howard’s athletic greats.
The takeaway: HBCU football history is built not only on championships, but also on the people who make those championships possible.
Join the conversation
Jason DeCuir helped open the door for Ted White to become a Bison, and together they helped deliver a historic Heritage Bowl victory.
How important are former players and alumni in keeping HBCU football traditions alive and helping the next generation succeed? Share your thoughts in the comments.
