Collection:LPB

Genre: Interview

Place Covered: Zachary, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Grambling, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1996-02-14

Duration: 00:25:27

Subjects: FOOTBALL | INTEGRATION | Discrimination | Race | GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY | ROBINSON, EDDIE | NFL | USFL (Organization) | WASHINGTON REDSKINS | Williams, Doug, 1955- | Super Bowl | Super Bowl XXII | Sports | African Americans | professional athletes

Contributors:

• Fowler, Ken (Senior) Producer
• Eaglin, J. Carlos, II Producer
• Eaglin, J. Carlos, II Director
• Heyer, Ashley Associate Producer
• Weill, Gus Interviewer
• Williams, Doug Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from February 14, 1996, features an interview with Doug Williams conducted by Gus Weill. Williams played professional football from 1978-1989 and was the MVP of Super Bowl XXII. He also served as the head football coach at Grambling State University from 1998-2003 and 2011-2013. Williams discusses: growing up as one of eight siblings in a poor family in Zachary, Louisiana; his early role models; his role as the first black pitcher on an integrated baseball team in Baton Rouge; seeing crosses being burned as a child; his recruitment by historically black colleges; his decision to attend Grambling State University; the positive influence of Coach Eddie Robinson; becoming the second black quarterback in NFL history; the pay discrimination he faced because of his race; his career in the United States Football League; his career with the Washington Redskins under Coach Joe Gibb; playing in the Super Bowl; wanting to coach at a historically black college; and the importance of helping troubled black youth break through the race issue.