In the heart and mind of the Florida A&M faithful, Rudy Hubbard was already a Hall of Famer.
This is no longer a thought or emotion limited to the Rattlers. The former head coach can now be addressed officially as a Hall of Famer.
Hubbard's official enshrinement in the College Football Hall of Fame was part of the 63rd annual National Football Foundation Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Tuesday at the ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas.
"I got my flowers while I can smell them," Hubbard said.
"It was absolutely wonderful. I've never seen anything like that. it was well organized. it was a great crowd. I had my family and FAMU contingency. It was just so amazing. The orange jacket from the Rattler "F" Club I wore at the press conference took center stage."
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Hubbard, who lives in Tallahassee, celebrated the moment with family and officials from FAMU.
This list featured Rattlers VP/Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha, Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief of Staff Keith McCluney, football head coach Willie Simmons, Rattler Sports Network color analyst and former player under Hubbard, Albert Chester, and some former assistants on his staff.
Hubbard is the sixth Rattler inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Jake Gaither, Billy Joe, Joe Taylor, Willie Galimore and Tyrone McGriff.
His career record at FAMU is 83–48–3.
In 1978, he made history by winning the first-ever Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship. FAMU defeated UMass 35-28.
The College Football Hall of Fame class of 2021:
Harris Barton – OT, North Carolina (1983-86)
David Fulcher – DB, Arizona State (1983-85)
Dan Morgan – LB, Miami [FL] (1997-2000)
Carson Palmer – QB, Southern California (1998-2002)
Tony Romo – QB, Eastern Illinois (1999-2002)
Kenneth Sims – DT, Texas (1978-81)
C.J. Spiller – RB/KR, Clemson (2006-09)
Darren Sproles – RB, Kansas State (2001-04)
Aaron Taylor – OT, Notre Dame (1990-93)
Andre Tippett – DE, Iowa (1979-81)
Al Wilson – LB, Tennessee (1995-98)
COACH
Bob Stoops – 190-48-0 (79.8%); Oklahoma (1999-2016)
"We have some names in our class. these guys have all done great things and they're the best of the best. I got to talk to all of them. They were just good people," Hubbard said.
A native of Hubbard, Ohio, the FAMU championship coach played college football at Ohio State under Woody Hayes.
After wrapping up his college days, Hubbard became the first Black assistant coach with the Buckeyes in 1968.
His first season at FAMU was in 1974.
Throughout his life, Hubbard has been a source of inspiration for a host of players and coaches. Simmons views Hubbard as a mentor and friend.
"I was so happy to be there with my wife and see coach Hubbard get into the Hall of Fame," Simmons said.
"He's meant so much to me even before I started coaching. Being there with him - this was a moment I will never forget."
Last year, the NFF event was canceled due to the shutdown of the pandemic. The class of 2020 was also honored on Tuesday.
Listed below are the College Football Hall of Fame class of 2020
Lomas Brown – OT, Florida (1981-84)
Keith Byars – RB, Ohio State (1982-85)
Eric Crouch – QB, Nebraska (1998-2001)
Eric Dickerson – RB, Southern Methodist (1979-82)
Glenn Dorsey – DT, LSU (2004-07)
John Elliott – OT, Michigan (1984-87)
Jason Hanson – PK, Washington State (1988-91)
E.J. Henderson – LB, Maryland (1999-2002)
E.J. Junior – DE, Alabama (1977-80)
Steve McNair – QB, Alcorn State (1991-94)
Cade McNown – QB, UCLA (1995-98)
Leslie O'Neal – DT, Oklahoma State (1982-85)
Anthony Poindexter – DB, Virginia (1995-98)
David Pollack – DE, Georgia (2001-04)
Bob Stein – DE, Minnesota (1966-68)
Michael Westbrook – WR, Colorado (1991-94)
Elmo Wright – WR, Houston (1968-70)
COACHES
Dick Sheridan – 121-52-5 (69.4%); Furman (1978-85), North Carolina State (1986-92)
Andy Talley – 258-155-2 (62.4%); St. Lawrence [NY] (1979-83), Villanova (1985-2016)
Follow FAMU beat writer Rory Sharrock on Twitter @married2game1.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU legendary coach Rudy Hubbard celebrates enshrinement in College Football HOF
