On Thursday, during a Zoom call, it was announced that former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Jimmie Giles will be inducted into the Class of 2021, Black College Football Hall of Fame.
“I remember years ago when a presidential candidate made the statement, it takes a village to raise a child. Well, I’m one of those,” said Jimmie Giles “I’m just so humbled by the fact that I’m here. God has been a part of my life he’s been a part of my family’s life, we started a company here in the state of Florida, and again, he doesn’t give you anything until you’re ready for it.”
Speaking about his time at Alcorn State University Giles said, “I call it the best decision I ever made. Without a doubt.”
The Black College Hall of Fame Class of 2021 includes:
- Winston Hill, Texas Southern University
- Coy Bacon, Jackson State University
- Greg Coleman, Florida A&M University
- Roynell Young, Alcorn State University
- Coach Willard Bailer, Virginia Union, Norfolk State, St. Paul’s and Virginia Lynchburg
- Jimmie Giles, Alcorn State University
Giles was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the third round of the 1977 NFL Draft. A 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), 238 lb tight end from Alcorn State University, Giles played in 13 NFL seasons from 1977 to 1989. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Giles’s career flourished as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the early and mid-1980s, despite being used mainly as a blocker during several seasons in which he fell into disfavor with the coaching staff. Giles’ benching coincided with a training-camp holdout, the first in Buccaneers history by a player under contract, and the difficult Doug
Williams’s negotiations resulted in his departure for the USFL. Giles’ four touchdowns against the Miami Dolphins on October 20, 1985, tied Earl Campbell’s record for the most touchdowns by a Dolphins opponent, and is still the Buccaneers’ single-game record; despite this, the Dolphins would win 41-38. Dolphins coach Don Shula said of the performance, “I can’t remember any tight end dominating us that way”. Buccaneer teammate Gerald Carter said that Giles could have been “one of the best all-time tight ends, if they’d used him more”. In 1988 with the Philadelphia Eagles, he caught a touchdown on one of the most memorable plays in Monday Night Football. Quarterback Randall Cunningham escaped a tackle from Giants linebacker Carl Banks and threw a touchdown to Giles.
On July 13, 2011, the Buccaneers officially announced that Jimmie Giles would be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor on December 4, 2011, when the Buccaneers hosted the Carolina Panthers.
Congratulations to all of the inductees and the Class of 2021.