“The Deacon Jones Trophy ” will be presented each year by the Black College Football Hall of Fame in honor of the late David “Deacon” Jones an NFL Hall of Fame legend who is part of the BCFHOF inaugural class (2010). Jones played his college football at South Carolina State and Mississippi Valley State before becoming a legend in the NFL. Deacon had won unanimous All-NFL honors from 1965 through 1970 and was selected to eight Pro Bowls during his career.
Saturday evening in Atlanta, Georgia at the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. North Carolina A&T State University Running Back Tarik Cohen was awarded the Inaugural “Deacon Jones Trophy.” Emcee Steve Wyche stated during the presentation that it is the hope of the Black College Hall of Fame that the “Decon Jones Trophy” will be black college football version of the Heisman Trophy.
The presentation of the “Decon Jones Trophy” was part of the induction ceremony for the Black College Football Hall of Fame class of 2017. The event held at the college football hall of fame honored the newest members to enter the hall. Isaiah Roberson, Parnell ” Pay Dirt” Dickinson, Robert Porcher, Harold Jackson, Gary ” Big Hands ” Johnson and the second winningest coach in black college football history Billy Joe.
Cohen a 5′ 6″ running back from Bunn North Carolina dazzled Aggie faithful for four years and concluded his college career rushing for over 1,588 ( MEAC record) yards in his senior season. The Three-time SBN Black College All-American was one of four finalists for the prestigious award; he was joined by three other finalists including North Carolina Central Quarterback Malcolm Bell, Southern University Running Back Lenard Tillery and Grambling State QB Devante Kincade.
The Aggie running back got the nod above the other finalist after completing a senior season that included rushing for over 200 yards in four games. The young star made his way to the endzone 19 times and garnered 1,927 All-Purpose yards. North Carolina A&T head coach Rod Broadway who coached Cohen the entire four years the All-American was at A&T says “Tarik Cohen is not just a special athlete, he is a special person.”The Dynamo from A&T has his sights set on pursuing a career in the NFL and is expected to participate in the NFL’s Pre-Draft combine that starts this week.
Many may look at the stature of this young man and make a quick decision that at only 5’6” and weighing in at only 179lbs that he may not make it to the next level. But one cannot ignore that he has already made history becoming the all-time leading rusher in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference history. One also cannot measure one’s heart and desire based on appearance alone. Tarik has already left his mark winning the Inaugural “Deacon Jones Trophy” (the Heisman Trophy of Black College football). I would not bet against seeing Tarik playing on Sunday.
Trevin A Jones
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