The Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation hosted its 19th annual Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Salute to Excellence Awards in Las Vegas during Super Bowl LVIII week on Feb. 8. At the event, James “Shack” Harris, Doug Williams, Nike and Sandra Douglass Morgan were all honored for their contributions to the league.
Harris was the first Black quarterback in NFL history to begin a season as a starter. He was also the first Black quarterback to start and win a playoff game. According to Andscape, he’s also the first Black quarterback to compete in a Pro Bowl and win Pro Bowl MVP.
“I think the quarterback position is more progressive because [Black quarterbacks] have built the trust within teams and fans around the country,” Harris said. “With that trust, it has given us the opportunity to see more Black coaches. We [also now] have more general managers.”
Nike Inc.’s Craig Williams, the president of geographies and marketplace, accepted the first Salute to Excellence Award of the day.
“Let’s continue to spark the critical balance between awareness, action and advocacy that we need to create collective change,” Williams said. “We look forward to continuing our steadfast commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion both inside the walls of Nike Inc. and in the world. Because to us, there truly is no finish line.”
The other Salute to Excellence Award went to Las Vegas Raiders president Sandra Douglass Morgan. She is the first Black and Asian woman team president in NFL history.
Then, the Las Vegas Raiders received the John Wooten Award.
“It’s an honor for me to be here, and for the team to be here,” Douglass Morgan said. “[Raiders diversity, equity and inclusion director] Devon [Lewis-Buchanan] and his leadership, and [Raiders historical content editor] Mike [Taylor] and his steadfastness, he’s our editor in chief for historical preservation, which is so important for the team. On behalf of [Raiders owner] Mark [Davis], I want to thank you all for that for this honor. He would have said, and he has said, even a couple of times this week, he’s always about hiring the right person for the right position. It’s not about what they look like or their background, it’s about who really wants to be a Raider, and who wants to work, and who wants to win.”
