Walter Payton
The Bears' top pick and No. 4 overall selection of the 1975 NFL Draft, Walter Payton was selected out of one of the largest HBCUs, Jackson State University. Ending his career where he started, Payton still remains second in all-time rushing yards in NFL history, with 16,726 lifetime yards.
Ernie Banks
Scouted while playing for longest running Negro League team, the Kansas City Monarchs, Ernie Banks was signed as the first African-American player to the Cubs franchise in 1953. The ninth major league player to record 500 home runs, Banks played 2,528 games and had more than 100 RBIs in eight seasons … all in Cubby blue.
Frank Thomas
A standout in football and baseball, Frank Thomas accepted a football scholarship to Auburn. Drawn to baseball, Thomas was added to the Auburn baseball team. The Big Hurt remains the only player to have seven consecutive seasons with a .300 batting average, 100 RBIs, 100 runs Scored, 100 walks and 20 home runs.
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