Hall of Fame football player Willie Lanier had a remarkable journey from receiving just one scholarship offer to becoming a star in the NFL. Lanier, now 78 years old and residing in Kansas City, played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1967 to 1977. But before his NFL career, Lanier attended high school at Maggie Walker and initially planned to attend Virginia State University (VSU), the school that offered him the only scholarship.
However, fate had other plans for Lanier. In 1963, as a young Black man, he found that major white schools were not interested in recruiting Black players. This realization led Lanier to reconsider attending VSU due to concerns about segregation and limited employment opportunities in central Virginia at the time. Lanier also weighed around 195 to 200 pounds and wasn’t seen as a football superstar.
Driven by the belief that there were greater opportunities for young Black men outside of Virginia, Lanier reached out to Earl Banks, the coach of Morgan State University in Baltimore. Despite Banks’ initial reluctance due to his lack of knowledge about Lanier, the linebacker sent football film and academic transcripts to prove his worth. Lanier took an entrance exam and impressed the coaching staff. However, there was no scholarship money left.
Undeterred, Lanier offered to attend Morgan State as a walk-on and participate in a work-study program while taking out student loans. Lanier’s family was willing to support his decision, and with the help of God’s grace, he gained 40 to 45 pounds during the summer before starting college. The added size transformed Lanier into a formidable player, and he excelled at Morgan State as a freshman.
Unfortunately, Lanier suffered a knee injury in his sophomore year, forcing him to focus more on academics. Despite the setback, Lanier learned a valuable lesson about the fleeting nature of a sports career and the importance of education. He went on to graduate from Morgan State with a degree in business administration and enjoyed a successful business career in Richmond after retiring from the NFL.
Lanier’s connection to Richmond remains strong. The field at Virginia Union University’s Hovey Stadium is named after him, even though he was not recruited by VUU in 1963. Lanier’s achievements in football also earned him recognition as one of the top 75 players to ever play the game by the NFL in 1994. He received the NFL’s Man of the Year award in 1972 for his community volunteer work.
Lanier’s inspiring story serves as a reminder that success often comes when we follow our instincts, overcome obstacles, and make the most of the opportunities that come our way. Lanier’s journey from one scholarship offer to NFL stardom is a testament to his determination and resilience.
