ATLANTA, GA - The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) earlier today announced its 13th Class today – the Class of 2022 - with former Livingstone College and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) standout Ben Coates being among those selected. Seven inductees were selected from a list of 29 Finalists who had been determined earlier by the BCFHOF Selection Committee.

In addition to Coates, the Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 includes: Donald Driver (WR, Alcorn State University), John “Big Train” Moody (RB, Morris Brown College, 1939-1941), Roscoe Nance (Contributor, Tuskegee University), Nate Newton (OL, Florida A&M University), William “Billy” Nicks (Coach, Morris Brown College and Prairie View A&M University) and Sammy White (WR, Grambling State University).

Ben Coates was a three-year football letterman at Livingstone College where he amassed 103 receptions for 1,268 receiving yards and 18 receiving touchdowns. The South Carolina native earned Livingstone College MVP in each of his three seasons with the team (1987-90) and earned First-Team All-CIAA and Black College Sports All-American honors his senior season. Coates was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2018. 

In 1991, Coates was drafted in the fifth round by the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) where he spent nine seasons (1991-1999) before finishing his last professional football season with the Baltimore Ravens (2000-01). In total, he played 158 NFL games, recording 499 receptions, 5,555 receiving yards, and 50 touchdowns. Coates’ performances ranks him second on the Patriots’ all-time career touchdowns list, third in franchise history with 490 receptions, and fourth in receiving yards (5,471). In 2008, the standout tight end was inducted in to the Patriots’ Hall of Fame.

Coates is a 5x NFL Pro Bowl Selection (1994-1998) and was a key contributor in the Ravens Super Bowl XXXV Championship victory (2001). After playing professionally, Coates entered his coaching career with his first stop being to his alma mater. Other positions held include coaching for the World Bowl XII, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Central State University, and Saint Augustine's University.

Votes were tallied from the 10-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators, and historians, as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from members of the BCFHOF to determine the Inductees.  

The Class of 2022 will be inducted during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Juneteenth Celebration, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons on June 18, 2022. The ceremony takes place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.  

The Class of 2022 will make their first public appearance at the inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl on February 19, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

For more information please visit www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.