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

Derek McDonald on Leading UNC's Linebackers, Steve Belichick, and More
Syracuse transfer linebacker Derek McDonald has a unique vantage point to gauge how UNC's edge rushers are performing and understands their potential. "We have a...
Wed Aug 12, 2026

Carolina Insider Podcast: UNC Football Training Camp, Basketball Talk, Mallory Wilmouth
Season 11 of the Carolina Insider Podcast begins as UNC Football training camp is in full swing (3:36). Carolina Basketball continues to adjust its roster...
Wed Aug 12, 2026

Ade Willie's Versatility a Big Plus for North Carolina's Secondary
Experience and versatility are intangibles that Ade Willie brought to North Carolina after spending four seasons at Michigan State. They are his greatest assets and...
Wed Aug 12, 2026

Chansky’s Notebook: Carolina Conundrum
There is no question Michael Lombardi will lose his job as UNC Football’s general manager and leave Chapel Hill. UNC has attorneys across the state...
Wed Aug 12, 2026