The HBCU Legacy Bowl is an all-star game created to try to help HBCU players improve their NFL Draft stock, but it may have had the opposite impact for Davius Richard.
The former North Carolina Central quarterback went down with a lower leg injury early in the game. He was carted off the field and taken to to University Medical Center with a right leg injury after running for a touchdown to put Team Gaither up early in the game.
Despite Richard’s early exit, he was still named offensive player of the game as Team Gaither (MEAC/CIAA) defeated Team Robinson (SWAC/SIAC) 10-6.
It had been a stellar week for Davius Richard, who is hoping to become the first HBCU quarterback to be picked in the NFL Draft since 2006. Alabama State quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was picked by the Minnesota Vikings that year.
Richard started the week off strong with a 4.5 time in the 40 yard dash at the NFL HBCU Combine. He continued to work out in front of NFL scouts for the duration of the week, and was named winner of the Deacon Jones Trophy along with Florida A&M quarterback Jeremy Moussa. The award is given annual by the Black College Football Hall of Fame to its top player of the year.
He threw for just under 9,000 yards and 73 touchdowns, breaking several school record held by legendary quarterback Earl “Air” Harvey that had stood for over 35 years. He also rushed for better than 2,000 yards and finished with 44 rushing touchdowns – good for third all-time in MEAC history amongst all players.