North Carolina A&T Football Adds A&T Four Civil Rights Tribute to Helmets

North Carolina A&T football players now wear helmet stickers that mark a turning point in civil rights history. The stickers honor four students whose 1960 lunch counter protest sparked nationwide change: David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and Ezell Blair Jr.

"We wanted to show respect to the A&T Four ... honoring the A&T Four would be something that nobody else in the country can have on the front of their helmets because we're the only ones. So we want to honor their legacy," said head coach Sean Gibbs at a Monday press conference per HBCU Gameday.com.

The team added these stickers before facing Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic. This small symbol links today's athletes to four freshmen who refused to move from a whites-only lunch counter in Greensboro.

Their bold act sparked action across America. Within weeks, sit-ins spread to hundreds of cities. The Greensboro Woolworth counter dropped its whites-only rule by summer's end. Today, dorms at A&T bear the names Richmond, McCain, Blair, and McNeil.

"That decal shows what we must do," said linebacker Joshua Isaiah after playing Tennessee State. "They made big sacrifices for civil rights. Now we must work just as hard to win for our school."

Quarterback Braxton Thomas shared his thoughts. "It means so much: their impact on this school and our whole country. That's what being an Aggie means. That's what Aggie Pride stands for."

The story hits close to home for the team. Franklin McCain's grandson, Franklin III, played cornerback at A&T. He went on to join the Denver Broncos in 2021, then moved to the Philadelphia Eagles.

On campus, the February One statue shows the four students mid-protest, cast in bronze. Coach Gibbs uses their story to push his players. "The A&T Four were four young freshmen who changed the world. And that's what I'm trying to get our guys to understand. We're trying to change this program," Gibbs said.

Each day, the helmet sticker reminds players that A&T stands for more than just sports. It pushes them to match the courage shown by four students who sat down for what was right.