mark washington

In the aftermath of the Rev. Martin Luther King's death 50 years ago this week, black pro and college athletes in Baltimore steered loved ones out of harm’s way, avoided giving in to their anger or, in some cases, simply went about their business.

Morgan State celebrates undefeated 1967 football team

It might seem obvious now, but the full significance of the 1966 Tangerine Bowl was not so apparent to the terrific Morgan State team that traveled to Orlando, Fla., a half-century ago to make college football history. "That was a turning point for black universities,'' said co-captain James Phillips, "but the thing about it was, we really didn't know. All we knew was it was a football game and that we were going there to win a football game."

Sometimes, looking back, Daryl Johnson wonders if it truly happened. Did he really lead Morgan State's football team to two undefeated seasons and then play in the pros for the Patriots?