Chester recently sat down to discuss the day that changed the game for Historically Black Colleges and Universities — both on and off the playing field — as well as the upcoming contest pitting Grambling versus Jackson State. The Raiders alumnus also spoke to the organization's commitment to diversity that dates to before his time with the Silver and Black, how the organization is acknowledging those players who forged their path to the pros after playing at HBCUs and how Las Vegas, and Allegiant Stadium, are perfect locations and venues to showcase the HBCU experience of culture and community.
QUESTION: Take us back to this big game pitting two HBCU powerhouses football programs. What was the mood around your squad, which would travel from Baltimore to New York City to play on the grandest of stages?
ANSWER: We realized the tremendous opportunity it was to go and represent historical Black colleges on the biggest platform that could be presented on. Yankee Stadium was huge; New York City was huge. Morgan State had lots of success on the small college level. We won championships and had undefeated seasons and had a whole wealth of players that had already been drafted into the NFL and the AFL. Grambling also accomplished greatness and had so many great athletes that went on to play professional football as well as produced players in the NBA.
Q: Was the social, political climate during this tumultuous time taken into consideration?
A: The idea that these two schools could generate enough fan attention, media attention to fill Yankee Stadium in New York was unheard of. When you consider the political times, it was a very tense time in the United States. Civil rights and activism were at their height. Anti-civil rights organizations like the Ku Klux Klan and others were highly active. The big headline prior to the game was the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., which had the whole country in turmoil. There was a concerted effort to stop the game, thinking that to have that many primarily African Americans students and fans in Yankee Stadium in that time of turmoil and grief and controversy was a bad idea.
Q: Do you recall the crowd ringing out an impromptu version of "We Shall Overcome" following the game and would you say that the game showcased unity in a divided nation and was an unmitigated success?
A: I do recall the crowd holding hands and singing and I recall the media after the game complimenting both schools on, number one, the level of play and the competitiveness of the game. But moreover, there were no incidents. The fans were exuberant and loud and cheered for their teams. But there was no activity that was negative, the fans behaved themselves with the utmost of respect for the law, respect for the game, respect for their institutions.
It was absolutely a moment of power that was demonstrated, in terms of the economic power in filling Yankee Stadium and filling hotels and restaurants in New York City. It was a demonstration of political potential, political power, but it was a tremendous representation of dignity, class, respect and composure from the Grambling and Morgan State fans as well as everyone else, many from other HBCUs, that decided to attend that game.
Q: Fast forward, what are your feelings on another big-stage moment for HBCUs when Grambling State faces Jackson State in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium on October 25?
A: After that 1968 game, that demonstrated that our historically Black colleges are no different than any other competitive college in terms of how they engage with their teams. They travel, they spend money, they stay in hotels. And they know how to conduct themselves in a businesslike manner and they're sought after. Las Vegas and cities that have large facilities and can handle large crowds for special events, and specifically, Allegiant Stadium which is beautiful with not a bad seat in the house, it has the same allure for those attending this game as it does for people all over the world.