November 29, 1997, the last play of Grambling's 30-7 loss to Southern University, marked the end of Coach Eddie Robinson's 57-year run at Grambling's helm, which included three undefeated seasons, 17 conference titles, nine black college championships, and an NCAA-record 408 victories (only John Gagliardi of St. John's University has since surpassed that number).
Perhaps Robinson's most enduring legacy, though, is represented by the more than 200 players he coached who went on to play in the NFL. One of those players, Doug Williams, was the MVP of Super Bowl XXII and became Robinson's successor.
Though ultra-successful, Coach Robinson always remained humble, crediting his players, his family, his loving wife Doris, the media, and football fans from all over the world for making the name Eddie Robinson synonymous with the best that college football has to offer.
“Nobody has ever done or will ever do what Eddie Robinson has done for this game,” legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno said. “Our profession will never, ever be able to repay Eddie Robinson for what he has done for this country and the profession of football.”
