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 - Bobby Petrino's Quarterback Group Set at UNC
Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina discuss North Carolina's quarterbacks, how the players potentially fit into Bobby Petrino's offense and style of play...
Thu Jan 8, 2026

Cowboys RB Javonte Williams listed among top free agent pickups of 2025
When the Cowboys signed Javonte Williams few predicted it would be as impactful as it turned out to be. Williams was coming off back-to-back poor...
Thu Jan 8, 2026

How competitive is Drake Maye? Tales from the Patriots locker room
The youngest in a family of four boys, Drake Maye always had to scrap with his brothers to prove himself. And he’s channeled that into...
Wed Jan 7, 2026

Ranking college football disappointments from 2025 season
15. North Carolina Tar Heels. My go-to line in the offseason was that, while it was hard to figure out what North Carolina head coach...
Wed Jan 7, 2026