ATLANTA — The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation announced on Saturday that it will be funding a fellowship at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Oh., for a recent HBCU graduate.
The fellowship, named the James Harris-Doug Williams Fellowship for pioneering Black quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams, will allow for a young professional to "perform a variety of tasks at the Pro Football Hall of Fame by completing rotations through various departments," according to a release.
Fellows will "work on a multitude of projects, tasks and initiatives with the goal of advancing their careers in the sport of professional football."
The first fellow was Akil Bount, son of Hall of Famer Mel Blount, and he is now a full-time employee with the marketing team at the Hall of Fame.
The Blank Foundation characterized the donation as a gift to former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who is being inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend.
“His impact on the game during his tenure as commissioner is immeasurable. Simply put, the NFL wouldn’t be what it is today without him. On behalf of everyone with the Atlanta Falcons, we congratulate him on the much-deserved enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Blank said in a statement.
The Falcons owner said he was proud to "support the very important efforts of Paul and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the creation of a physical location for the Black College Football Hall of Fame in Canton," as well, and of the newly-established fellowship's "ability to provide an HBCU graduate a unique opportunity for professional development and career advancement."