image via Jackson State Athletics
OKLAHOMA CITY | The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) released the fourth annual Aeneas Williams Award semifinalists on Tuesday morning with a familiar face on the list.
This list includes 11 of the nation’s best defensive backs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football. The semifinalists are selected by a screening committee, in partnership with DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, whose members compile a list of up to 15 players based on performance on the field, athletic ability, and character. This list is not final, and unlisted players who continually have outstanding performances as the season progresses may be recognized as one of the three finalists.
This year’s semifinalists include Tomondrey Braxton (North Carolina Central), Aaron Harris (North Carolina A&T), Johnny Harris III (Bethune-Cookman), Markel Linzer (Grambling State), Jadarrius Perkins (Delaware State), Tyrell Raby (Grambling State), Kam Sallis (Jackson State), Jarod Washington (South Carolina State), Zuri Watson (Howard), Gabe White (Bethune-Cookman), and Edric Whitley (Texas Southern).
Through seven games this season, Sallis has 29 total tackles, including 12 solo. He also has a pass breakup and an interception that came against Southern at the goalline.
About the Aeneas Williams Award
The Aeneas Williams Award is presented by the Chickasaw Nation and awarded to the best defensive back in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability, and character. This award was established in 2022 and serves as the first of its kind in HBCU history in honor of its namesake, Southern University walk-on and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Aeneas Williams. The contribution of HBCUs to the landscape of college football and the NFL has forever left an impact on the game. HBCUs hold an incredibly rich athletic tradition, tied to the game of football, that continues to exemplify the culture of these schools for over the past century.
New Orleans-raised Aeneas Williams was a junior walk-on defensive back at Southern University. The next year, Aeneas tied the NCAA Division I-AA single-season interception record. He was drafted in the third round of the 1991 draft by the Arizona Cardinals and became a St. Louis Ram in 2001. During a remarkable 14-year NFL career – that led to his induction into the NFL Hall of Fame, a Super Bowl appearance, eight Pro Bowls, and four All-Pro selections – Aeneas had chances to help some of his teammates through some of life’s rougher patches. These opportunities led Aeneas to the realization that unhappiness doesn’t come from the things in our lives. It comes from things missing from our lives. Aeneas made his personal commitment to Jesus Christ during his junior year at Southern University and has devoted his off-field life to sharing the wisdom and understanding of the Word of God. Pastor Aeneas has a love for people and a passion for helping each of us fulfill our full potential. In 2007, Aeneas and his wife of 23 years, Tracy, founded The Spirit Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where he serves as Senior Pastor. Aeneas, Tracy, their three daughters, Saenea, Tirzah, and Cheyenne, and son Lazarus live in Creve Coeur, Missouri.
