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PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Former Eagles stars DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick are returning to Philadelphia as rival coaches of college football teams that will face off in the first-ever HBCU Battle of the Legends.
The Thursday night game on ESPNU will serves as a homecoming return to the Linc for the former Eagles teammates, now turned head coaches of rival college teams.
The home team, Delaware State University Hornets (5-3) cached by Jackson will take on the Norfolk State University Spartans (1-7) coached by Vick.
Their teams will battle it out on a slippery field Thursday, with the rainy weather raising the stakes of the matchup.
Jackson and Vick have electrified Philadelphia crowds during their time in Eagles jerseys years ago, but now they've taken on new roles on the sidelines by leading players of these Historically Black Colleges and Universities, on and off the field.
"For me it's all about discipline and the mindset," Jackson said during an August press conference hosted by the Eagles. "Everybody's not going to be fortunate to make it to the NFL. For me to be able to get guys to walk across that stage to get a degree and diploma is what I want to instill out of these young men."
"We had coaches who poured into us and then as players you think back to how you got to this point and then you start thinking about all the people who poured into your life and all the mentorship that you had and the people that really cared; we got an opportunity to reciprocate that," Vick added,.
The primetime spotlight doesn't only come with the love of football, but will also showcase some of HBCU culture from the marching bands, fans, cheerleaders and community involvement.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and schools Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington will host 3,000 Philadelphia students at the Linc before the game.
A step show is scheduled for 5 p.m., a ceremony with the students at 6 p.m. and then the game airing on ESPNU at 7 p.m.
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