ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State athletic legacy and lore were on full display Saturday evening when the University honored a special group of former football players who occupies a coveted place in the annals of sports at the 129-year old institution. The event included a reception at the campus Fine Arts Center.

The 1981 Bulldog National Football League Draft Class was recognized as the largest group of players from SC State and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference to enter the NFL in a single draft. Eight SC State players were chosen for the professional ranks that year, five via the draft and three others through free agency. It was a remarkable feat for a small Historical Black College and University (HBCU) and added to outstanding legacy the Bulldogs have established in athletics over the years.

Bulldog players making up the 1981 historic draft class, spent a combined 38 years on NFL rosters, while racking up some impressive achievements, including appearances in four Super Bowls, three National Football Conference (NFC) Championships and American Football Conference (AFC) Championships each, and two Pro Bowls.  

Seven of the eight players in the class are in the South Carolina State University Athletic Hall of Fame, three are in the MEAC Hall of Fame, two are in the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame and one is in the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame. 

Seven of the eight that were part of that historical moment 44 years ago, attended Saturday's event and were lauded, feted and presented resolutions by the South Carolina House of Representatives and gifts from the SC State Bulldog Former Athletes Association (SCSBFAA).

Making up the honored group in attendance were DT John Alford of Dillon, SC, a 12^th round selection by the Miami Dolphins; OG Edwin Bailey of Savannah, GA, a 5^th round pick by the Seattle Seahawks;  WR Charlie Brown of John's Island, SC, chosen in the 8^th round by the Washington Redskins; DB William Judson of Atlanta, GA, an 8^th round selection by the Miami Dolphins; LB Angelo King of Columbia, SC, a free agent taken by the Dallas Cowboys; RB Chris Ragland of Indianapolis, IN, a free agent pick by the Washington Redskins; and OT Leroy Robinson of Wadmalaw Island, SC, chosen as a free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles. DT Robert Geathers of Georgetown, a 3^rd round pick by the Buffalo Bills, was unable to attend the event.

Each was honored with a Resolution by State Representative Wendell Gilliard of the 111^th District of Charleston, SC. SCSBFAA vice president Micheal Summers presented each honoree with a special Bulldog replica designed by famed artist Rodgers Boykin, a South Carolina State alumnus.

Also saluting the group was John Rickenbacker, representing US House member the Honorable James E. Clyburn (6^th District), SC House Member Jerry Govan (District 93), both graduates of SC State; US House members, the Honorable Jonathan Jackson (1^st District Illinois), the son of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson; and the Honorable Ro Khanna (17^th District of California) offered congratulatory remarks, as did SCSU president Alexander Conyers, Bulldog Coach Emeritus Willie Jeffries and SCSU Interim Athletics Director Oliver "Buddy" Pough.

Em Cee Bill Hamilton recounted the historical details of the 1981 NFL Draft Class and facts from the careers of the honorees, who were joined at the event by family members, former teammates and friends.

ABOUT SC STATE ATHLETICS
South Carolina State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 14 sports: women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, softball, men's and women's outdoor track and field, women's soccer and football with all teams competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), except for women's soccer.
 
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