The pioneer: Ricky Lanier reflects on being UNC's first Black football player

Posted Feb 28, 2023
The story goes that starting quarterback John Swofford went down early with an injury, meaning North Carolina coach Bill Dooley had to turn to his bench for a replacement in the 1969 game against VMI. It then became time for Ricky Lanier to show he was more than capable of directing an offense and better than the stereotype that said he couldn’t. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Video: IC Podcast - UNC Tight End Breakdown and Superlatives
UNC's tight end group was sorely misused last season, but under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, this year's group of Jelani Thurman, Jordan Washington, Shamar...
Wed Jul 8, 2026

Barth Brothers Hosting Free Kicking Camp July 16 In Wilmington
Brothers Casey Barth and Connor Barth, two of the greatest placekickers ever produced by the state of North Carolina, will host their annual, all-ages kicking...
Tue Jul 7, 2026

2026 ACC college football preview, predictions, top transfers and more
Bill Belichick bears the burden of proof, but it's not hard to see potential if UNC's defense is a top-40 unit and Bobby Petrino engineers...
Tue Jul 7, 2026

Back with the Washington Commanders, Dyami Brown vows it’s a 'new me'
Former North Carolina receiver Dyami Brown, after a season in Jacksonville, has returned to Washington for a second stint. Brown is projected to be a...
Tue Jul 7, 2026