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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 156
BY REPRESENTATIVE JEFFERSON
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Grambling State University Head Coach Doug Williams
upon the twenty-fifth anniversary of his selection as the first black quarterback to be
named Most Valuable Player of a Super Bowl game
A RESOLUTION1
To commend Head Coach Doug Williams upon the twenty-fifth anniversary of his selection2
as the first black quarterback to be named Most Valuable Player of a Super Bowl3
game and to recognize his many contributions to the Grambling State University4
football program.5
WHEREAS, Doug Williams graduated from Grambling State University in 1978 and6
first became the head coach of the football team in 1997; and7
WHEREAS, his accomplishments and contributions in the realm of football began8
in the early 1970s, as a star quarterback for Cheneyville High School in his native town of9
Zachary, Louisiana; and10
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was named Black College Player of the Year twice and11
was once fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting during his undergraduate career at Grambling12
State; and13
WHEREAS, in 1977, Mr. Williams led the nation in touchdown passes with thirty-14
eight and in passing yards with 3,286; and15
WHEREAS, Doug Williams' career at Grambling was marked by many firsts: he was16
the first player from a predominantly black school to be chosen as a First Team17
All-American, the first player from a predominantly black school ever to be selected as a18
consensus All-American quarterback, and the first quarterback from a predominantly black19 HLS 13RS-3751 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 156
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school ever to be selected in the first round of the National Football League draft, going to1
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the seventeenth selection overall; and2
WHEREAS, in Coach Williams' professional football career, he played for the3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Washington Redskins of the National Football League and4
for the Oklahoma Outlaws of the United States Football League; and5
WHEREAS, one of the most notable achievements of Coach Williams' career was6
becoming the first black quarterback to start in and win a Super Bowl; in Super Bowl XXII,7
he led his Washington Redskins to a 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos; and 8
WHEREAS, Coach Williams became the first black quarterback to ever be named9
the Most Valuable Player of a Super Bowl game; and10
WHEREAS, in 1997, Coach Williams returned to Grambling as head football coach,11
succeeding the legendary Eddie Robinson; his team went 10-2 in 2000 and 11-1 in 2001and12
won the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship both years; and13
WHEREAS, Coach Williams rejoined the Buccaneers as a personnel executive, and14
in 2009, he was promoted to the director of professional scouting; on June 21, 2010, it was15
announced that he would become General Manager of the Norfolk expansion franchise in16
the United Football League; and17
WHEREAS, in 2011, Coach Williams returned for his second stint as the head18
football coach at Grambling, and under his leadership, the Tigers won the State Farm Bayou19
Classic, the SWAC Western Division, and the SWAC Championship for the 2011 season;20
and21
WHEREAS, though Coach Williams is perhaps best known for his accomplishments22
on the field, his contributions off the field also are notable, including his work in providing23
scholarships for high school students through the Doug Williams Foundation, service on the24
Louisiana governor's council to combat drug and alcohol abuse, and his active work with25
youth and charitable groups; and26
WHEREAS, his charitable work has earned him numerous awards, including being27
named Washingtonian of the Year and receiving the Generous Hearts Award and the Boys28
Club Congressional Award; and29 HLS 13RS-3751 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Doug Williams, a champion, a natural leader, a trailblazer, and the head1
football coach of his beloved Grambling State Tigers, has defied the odds and has fulfilled2
not only his dreams but those of many others; and3
WHEREAS, Coach Williams is being honored by the Grambling University National4
Alumni Association (GUNNA) Ruston Chapter at its annual gala on June 8, 2013.5
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the6
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Doug Williams for his many contributions7
to the Grambling State University football program, to his fellow citizens, and to the state8
of Louisiana, does hereby recognize and record for posterity the special place he has in the9
annals of Louisiana history, and does hereby commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of10
his selection as the first black quarterback to be named Most Valuable Player of a Super11
Bowl game.12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted13
to Doug Williams.14
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Jefferson HR No. 156
Commends Grambling State University Head Coach Doug Williams upon the twenty-fifth
anniversary of his selection as the first black quarterback to be named Most Valuable Player
of a Super Bowl game.