Chiefs DT Buck Buchanan (Grambling State) and LB Willie Lanier (Morgan State) will be among the inaugural class of inductees enshrined in the Black College Football Hall of Fame on Saturday evening in Atlanta, Georgia. The Black College Football Hall of Fame honors the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from historically black colleges and universities.

“Both Buck and Willie broke barriers in pro football after distinguishing themselves as college players,” General Manager Scott Pioli said. “The Chiefs were fortunate to draft both of these Hall of Fame performers who became respected leaders on some of the greatest teams in franchise history. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to get to know Willie over the past year, and I appreciate his unique perspective on professionalism, as well as his vast knowledge of Chiefs history. Our entire organization salutes Buck, Willie and the other members of the Black College Football Hall of Fame on this well-deserved recognition.”

In the only trade ever personally orchestrated by Lamar Hunt, the Chiefs acquired the top choice in the ‘63 AFL Draft, making Buchanan the initial player from a historically black college or university to be chosen with the first overall selection. Called the “finest lineman I’ve ever seen,” by his college coach Eddie Robinson – also a member of the Black College Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2010 – Junious “Buck” Buchanan was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in ‘90. He joined the Chiefs Hall of Fame in ‘81 and was selected to join the College Football Hall of Fame in ‘96.

In 13 seasons with the Chiefs from ‘63-75, Buchanan was elected to the AFL All-Star Game or Pro Bowl eight times and was a unanimous All-AFL pick from ‘66-69. He saw duty in 182 regular season games and seven playoff games with Kansas City, helping the club win AFL championships in both ‘66 and ‘69 en route to appearances in both Super Bowl I and Super Bowl IV. Buchanan passed away on July 16, 1992. His widow, Georgia, is still a vibrant member of the Kansas City community, and remains an ardent supporter of the Chiefs.

A second-round selection in the ‘67 draft, Lanier became the first African-American in pro football history to become a regular starter at the middle linebacker position. Lanier was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in ‘86 after being inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in ‘85. He was also named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team in ‘94. Selected to the AFL All-Star Game or the Pro Bowl on eight different occasions, he saw action in 149 regular season games with the Chiefs, registering 27 INTs with two TDs, as well as 18 fumble recoveries. He started five postseason games with Kansas City, including the club’s win in the ‘69 AFL Championship Game, as well as a 23-7 victory vs. Minnesota in Super Bowl IV. Lanier was a two-time Small College All-America pick at Morgan State and was the MVP of the ‘66 Tangerine Bowl.

The honorary chairmen for the inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony include former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young, Atlanta Falcons Owner & CEO Arthur Blank, as well as Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Hank Aaron. Saturday’s event, which will take place in conjunction with Black History Month, will be hosted by former NFL coach and current ESPN Monday Night Football broadcaster Jon Gruden.

Other inductees into the Black College Football Hall of Fame will include:
• Jake Gaither – Coach, Florida A&M

• Willie Galimore – Running Back, Florida A&M (Chicago Bears)

• Deacon Jones – Defensive End, South Carolina St., Mississippi Valley St. (L.A. Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins)

• Bill Nunn – Contributor, Journalist, NFL Scout (Pittsburgh Steelers)

• Walter Payton – Running Back, Jackson State (Chicago Bears)

• Jerry Rice – Wide Receiver, Mississippi Valley State (San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks)

• Eddie Robinson – Coach, Grambling State

• Ben Stevenson – Halfback/Defensive Back, Tuskegee

• Tank Younger – Running Back/Linebacker, Grambling State (L.A. Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers)