ATLANTA, Georgia – Former Maryland State College running back Emerson Boozer has earned induction to the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF). Boozer is a member of the Class of 2019, as announced by the BCFHOF Selection Committee Thursday (Nov. 1).
"On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we congratulate the Class of 2019," said BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee Doug Williams. "To be inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in its first 10 years is quite an honor."
A College Football Hall of Fame inductee in 2010 and a New York Jets ring of honor member as of 2015, Boozer wore the famed No. 44 for the Maroon and Gray
Playing from 1962-1965, Boozer compiled 2,537 yards and scored 22 touchdowns with the Hawks. He averaged an impressive 6.78 yards per carry during his time in Princess Anne, and his career rushing yards total still stands as a Hawks record.
The Hawks went 18-9-1 record during his tenure as Boozer averaged 90.61 yards per game and was a two-time All-American.
Boozer was drafted in the sixth round, 46th overall, by the New York Jets in the AFL draft, playing for 10 seasons. He was also picked in the NFL draft that same year by the Steelers in the seventh round with the 98th pick, before the merger of the two leagues.
Named 1966 AFL Rookie of the Year by The Pittsburgh Courier, he appeared in a pair of AFL All-Star in 1966 and 1968. Boozer also earned an All-Conference selection by The Sporting News in 1967, leading the AFL in rushing touchdowns with 10 and total TDs with 13. In 1972 Boozer had 14 scores to lead the league.
>His efforts led the Jets to the 1968 AFL Championship and a victory in Super Bowl III over the Baltimore Colts.
Boozer becomes the fourth Hawk to enter the BCFHOF. Art Shell was the first to be inducted in 2011, followed by Johnny Sample in 2012 and Roger Brown in 2015.
The BCFHOF Class of 2019 will be inducted at the 10th Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, sponsored by the Atlanta Falcons. The ceremony takes place on February 16th, 2019 in Atlanta, and the inductees will also be honored at Atlanta's Celebration Bowl on December 15th.
