The Story of Ricky Lanier: Trailblazer, Record-Holder, Tar Heel

Posted Oct 16, 2025
Ricky Lanier, the first black scholarship football player in Carolina Football history, died earlier this month at age 76. The following article about Lanier was originally published in the November 2014 issue of the Inside Carolina Magazine, highlighting Lanier’s time at North Carolina, and his performance that still stands atop the football record books today. (Inside Carolina)

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