Grambling State News

Funding Begins Immediately for Student Selected to Receive Scholarship

GRAMBLING, La. – September 23, 2020 – The PeyBack Foundation has established the Doug Williams Endowed Scholarship at Grambling State University.

Peyton Manning, a Louisiana native, and legendary former NFL quarterback, and his wife Ashley Manning established The PeyBack Foundation in 1999 to promote the future success of disadvantaged youth by assisting programs that provide leadership and growth opportunities for children at risk.

Since its inception, the Foundation has provided millions of dollars in grants to various organizations and programs.

“We are honored to commemorate Doug Williams with this scholarship as Doug has been a tremendous role model to Grambling students for many years through his actions both on and off the field,” a statement from The PeyBack Foundation said.

“The endowed gift will have a significant impact on the future of Grambling State University and our students we serve,” said Marc Newman, vice president for Advancement Research and Economic Development at Grambling State. “Naming the scholarship after Doug Williams and acknowledging his impact on the campus and higher education in general only increases the impact of the gift.”

The first recipient will receive funding beginning with Fall 2020. Qualifications for the scholarship award are that the recipient must be a rising Sophomore at the university with a minimum 3.5 grade-point average, community service involvement and need-based financial aid.

Williams was the first African American quarterback to win MVP in a Super Bowl. As quarterback for the Washington Redskins football team, he not only helped win the game, but was named the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XXII on Jan. 31, 1988 in San Diego, California.

At Grambling State where he has served both as player and coach, Williams still holds school records for most passing yards in a season (3,286), yards in a career (8,411), career completions (484), touchdown passes in a game (7), season (38) and career (93).

Most recently, he has worked with the University to launch the Doug Williams Center for the Study of Race and Politics in Sports.

In discussing the scholarship, Williams recounted a long-term association with the Manning family, and also thanked Peyton’s parents, Archie and Olivia Manning for raising the kind of son they did.

“I am very humbled and grateful, my wife and I talk about it all the time, that Peyton Manning would look upon Grambling State University and endow a scholarship in my name to help some needy student that is going to school at Grambling State University,” Williams said.

The University anticipates selecting the first scholarship recipient soon.

To learn more about scholarships and giving at Grambling State, visit gram.edu.