ATLANTA (Jan. 13, 2026) – The College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta will debut a major new exhibit, Ascension: Rise of the Black Quarterback, examining the historic evolution of Black quarterbacks in college football—from exclusion and entrenched misconceptions to leadership, innovation, and excellence at the sport’s most demanding position.

Presented by Kia and Coca-Cola as part of The Hall’s Black History Month programming, the exhibit will open prior to Martin Luther King Jr. Day and remain on display through early summer for fans, families, students and more.

Through immersive storytelling, historical artifacts, and data-driven insights, Ascension confronts long-standing myths surrounding intelligence, leadership, and athleticism that once limited opportunities for Black quarterbacks. The exhibit traces how generations of players, coaches, and programs—particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities—reshaped the game and laid the foundation for today’s landscape, where Black quarterbacks now account for 50 percent of NFL starters for the first time in league history.

“Ascension tells a story that every fan and every young athlete should understand,” said Kimberly Beaudin, President and CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame. “It recognizes the barriers Black quarterbacks overcame and celebrates how their leadership, innovation, and excellence continue to shape the future of college football.”

— Kimberly Beaudin, President and CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame

Beginning with Wade Hampton of Livingstone College and G.E. Ceasar of Biddle University, who faced off in the first documented HBCU football game in 1892, the exhibit highlights iconic college football figures such as Fritz Pollard, Charlie Ward, Steve McNair, Cam Newton, and Lamar Jackson, among many others. Visitors will also learn how visionary HBCU coaches like Eddie Robinson, John Merritt and Archie Cooley implemented pro-style and high-powered offensive systems that helped prepare Black quarterbacks for success not only in college, but also at the highest levels of the sport.

Ascension will feature numerous high-profile artifacts, including some on loan from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as provide a full list of every Black quarterback who has won a Division 1 National Championship, and those who won the Heisman Trophy. Some notable artifacts include:

• Jimmy Jones’ 1969 Replica USC helmet & a copy of Sports Illustrated featuring Jones on the cover, marking the first Black QB to be on the cover of the magazine
• Doug Williams’ 1977 letterman jacket from Grambling State University (on loan from the Pro Football Hall of Fame)
• Steve McNair’s 1994 SWAC First Team All-Conference Plaque
• Bryce Young’s 2021 Alabama jersey
• Jayden Daniels’ 2023 LSU helmet and headband
• And much more!

As part of the College Football Hall of Fame’s ongoing commitment to preserve, celebrate and explore the full history of the sport, Ascension provides guests with an opportunity to reflect on the past, recognize progress and better understand how the sport is continuing to be shaped today.

For more information about the College Football Hall of Fame, including hours of operation, ticket prices, and other visitor guidelines, please visit cfbhall.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Trevor Bowden | trevor@babbitbodner.com

About the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

The national Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame is dedicated to its mission to inspire and entertain by celebrating the passion and traditions of college football and its greatest players and coaches. The Hall celebrates the universal values of hard work, integrity and perseverance and fulfills its mission through storytelling, impactful programs and unique experiences focused on the core of preservation, celebration, and inspiration. Located in the heart of Atlanta's sports, entertainment and tourism district, the Hall provides visitors with a highly immersive, interactive, and engaging experience using a blend of historic college football artifacts and state-of-the-art, interactive multimedia exhibits. The National Football Foundation (NFF) founded the Hall in 1951 to immortalize the greatest players and coaches as role models for future generations and established its new home in Atlanta in 2014. The College Football Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that provides a national platform for community outreach, education, and character development initiatives, and serves as a premier special event venue. For more information on the Hall, a 10-year TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence recipient, please visit www.cfbhall.com.