DeSean Jackson, Michael Vick โฃto be Honored as Norfolk state and Delaware State Face Off in Philadelphia HBCU Classic
PHILADELPHIA – โFormerโ Philadelphia eagles stars DeSean Jackson and โขMichael Vick โwill be recognized thursday โnight as Norfolk State University and Delaware State University meet in a โhighly anticipated HBCU football showdown at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.โ The gameโ represents a renewed focus on celebrating Black โculture and athletic excellence on a national stage, building on a โขrich history of HBCU football in the city dating back to โthe 19thโค century.
The matchup is more than just a contest between โtwo programs; it’s a deliberate effort to highlight the meaning of Historically Black โColleges and Universities and provide a rallying point for communities, especially at a time when Philadelphia and theโฃ broader HBCU landscape are seeking โpositive momentum. LaVeist,a โคLincoln Board of Trustees member,emphasized the game’s importance as a tribute to those whoโ paved the โขwayโ forโ current athletes. “When thisโ game is played and โyou see these great athletes – โฃit’s actually a reminder, โคandโข them going โback โขand recognizing, โand paying homage to who paved the way,” he said.
The game’s timing comes after a challenging weekend for โlincoln University, following the cancellation of its homecoming gameโข due to a threat of violence. Despiteโ the disruption, Lincoln alumni are demonstrating solidarity with the widerโข HBCU โคcommunity โand plan to attend Thursday’s game. “Despite what happened on Saturday, we’re not trying to let that โget โฃin the way of our support of other HBCUs,” said a Lincoln graduate from โthe Class ofโฃ 1985.
Philadelphia’s connection to HBCU football isโ deeply rooted in history. As early as theโ 1890s, Lincoln University and โขHoward University competed at Shibe Park (later Connie โMack stadium). By theโฃ 1920s, their annual contest evolved into “The Classic,” a Thanksgiving Day โคtradition played in Philadelphia, โฃWashington D.C., and โAtlantic City until 1960.
Throughout the decades, โคPhiladelphia hasโค continuedโ to host significant HBCU matchups. Franklin Fieldโค hosted howard’s 6-0 victory over Florida A&M in 1975. Northeast high School was home to โThe โขWade Wilson Classic/Battle of the Firsts, showcasing Lincoln and Cheyney University, the nation’s โคoldest HBCUs.โฃ In 2000, Veterans Stadium hosted the Richardโค Allen Classic, where North Carolina Central โdefeated Morrisโ Brown College 19-16.
Stinson IIIโ underscored the broader impact โคof the game, โstating, “This game, โNorfolk State vs. Delaware State, โคis kind โฃof puttingโค us back into that mantraโฃ and โthat thoght process of, ‘These โขgames are meant to bring togetherโ excellence, Black culture, [and the] Black experience on a national platform.'” He added, “It’s โคgreat to โขhave that culmination come together, where peopel – no matter what their HBCU connection is -โ are able โขto come and experience aโฃ great game highlighted by two great coaches, especially at a time when America, Philadelphia and HBCUs need something to rallyโฃ around.”
Krystle Rich contributed to this report.
