Arthur Blank Family Foundation to fund Black College Football Hall of Fame Fellowship

The Falcons owner continues to donate to the community, this time in honor of a former NFL commissioner.

Since becoming team owner of the Atlanta Falcons in 2002, Arthur Blank has said a lot about his commitment to winning football games. He’s also put a lot of money into the community

It was recently announced that the Arthur Blank Family Foundation would fund the Black College Football Hall of Fame Fellowship for two years to honor Paul Tagliabue, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame over the weekend. Tagliabue served as Commissioner of the NFL from 1989-2006, overseeing several big increases to the NFL’s power and reach, including the expansion to the current group of 32 teams.

The Fellowship in which the Blank Foundation will fund for two years is the James Harris-Doug Williams Fellowship, which provides a post-graduate opportunity at the Pro Football Hall of Fame to a recent college graduate from an accredited Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

“From the very first steps of buying the team right up until today, Commissioner Tagliabue has been a cherished friend, mentor and confidant, and I know he was the same to the Smith family during their stewardship of the Falcons,” Blank said via AtlantaFalcons.com. “As commissioner, his forward-thinking and prudent decision- making raised our league to new heights, and then he carefully and successfully navigated the sometimes bumpy road that growth naturally encounters. His impact on the game during his tenure as commissioner is immeasurable. Simply put, the NFL wouldn’t be what it is today without him. On behalf of everyone with the Atlanta Falcons, we congratulate him on the much-deserved enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

For those interesting in applying for the grant, click here.