FAMU Greats Henry Lawrence, Tyrone McGriff Inducted into Black College HOF
Florida A&M University football greats Henry “Killer” Lawrence and Tyrone McGriff were inducted into the Black College Hall of Fame as members of the class of 2023. The induction ceremony was held in Atlanta on June 10.
Lawrence played on the Rattler offensive line 1970-73, while McGriff played on the offensive line 1976-79.
Lawrence played under legendary Rattler football Coach Jake Gaither. He participated in the 1974 Senior Bowl before being selected in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. Lawrence played offensive tackle for the Raiders for 13 seasons from 1974 to 1986.
During his professional playing career, Lawrence and the Raiders won three Super Bowl Championships, XI, XV, XVIII. He was named to two Pro-Bowls and is a FAMU Sports Hall of Fame Inductee.
A three-time Black College All-American, McGriff helped FAMU win the 1978 Division I-AA National Championship and a pair of Black College Football national titles in 1977 and 1978 under Coach Rudy Hubbard. He was a 12th round draft pick in 1980 and played several seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He died of a heart attack in 2000 at age 42.