John Walton: Black College Football Hall of Fame Inductee
PHILADELPHIA — When John Walton heard he was going to be inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF), he was thrilled with the honor. Walton, a former Elizabeth City State quarterback, will be enshrined along with Leslie Frazier (Alcorn State), Henry Lawrence (Florida A&M), Albert Lewis (Grambling State), Jim Marsalis (Tennessee State), Tyrone McGriff (Florida A&M), Elijah Pitts (Philander Smith) and coach Pete Richardson (Southern University, Winston-Salem State).
The ceremony for the 14th annual BCFHOF will take place on Saturday, June 10 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga.
“When “Shack” [James Harris, co-founder of BCFHOF] called me he said, ‘Johnnie we’re not just putting you in. You played your way in,’” Walton shared. “So that made feel good. I was a candidate may be three or four years ago before I was accepted. People know how excited I am.”
Walton was a terrific player at Elizabeth City State from 1965-68. He received All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) honors his senior year. He threw for 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns while leading the Vikings to an 8-1 record. Walton has great memories of playing in the CIAA.
“It was very exciting,” Walton said. “Each week would challenge the opponent. They were battles. We weren’t going out there playing two-hand tag. We were playing some of the best of the best like the Norfolk States, Winston-Salem States. We even went out of conference some times and were very successful. It was very exciting to me.”
After his college career, Walton went undrafted. He originally signed with the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent from 1969-72. He played a season in the Continental Football League with the Indianapolis Capitals leading the team to a league championship. He was named the Continental Football League’s Most Valuable Player.
Walton played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1976-79. He was the backup quarterback behind starter Ron Jaworski. Walton was a real ground breaker for Black quarterbacks with the Eagles. He opened the doors for African American signal callers like Randall Cunningham, Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and others including the Eagles’ current quarterback Jalen Hurts who led the Eagles to the Super Bowl last season. Walton is very impressed with the overall play of Hurts as well as his leadership.
“He’s awesome,” Walton said. “He can play football. He’s very cool under fire. He has a level head. He’s very impressionable. He does all the right things.”
Speaking of the Eagles, Walton had a chance to talk to his former teammate and wide receiver Harold Carmichael who was inducted into BCFHOF in 2018.
“I saw him after (Eagles won) the Super Bowl that following year,” he said. “They had something like an alumni day at the beginning of the season. I bumped into Harold. He told me how exciting and awesome the event is.”
Walton, 75, is a city councilman in Elizabeth City, N.C., where he was a huge college football star. He’s looking forward to the BCFHOF induction ceremony.
“I got to thank a lot of people because I know a lot of people,” Walton said. “If you can be recognized, it’s significant in your life.”
In 1974-75, Walton played in the World Football League. He also played in the United States Football League during the 1983-84 seasons.
Of course, the big thing is he's going into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.