GRAMBLING, La. – Grambling State University mourns the loss of former Tigers football legend, Melvin Lee, who passed away on Thursday.
“Coach Melvin Lee was a true Grambling legend,” Grambling State President Rick Gallot said. “His impact on Grambling State University football was immense and will continue to live on. Christy and I will keep his wife Pauline in our prayers.”
Lee, a 2010 Grambling Legends Hall of Famer, was a tri-captain of the 1955 undefeated National Championship team. The New Orleans native earned a pair of Mid-Western Conference honors as he played for the Black and Gold from 1952-1955. In addition, the Bayou Classic XXIII Honoree was an offensive coordinator under head coach Eddie Robinson from 1960-1997.
Prior to playing football at Grambling State, Lee attended Clark High School in New Orleans where he earned a spot on the All-City district team and had planned to play collegiate football at Dillard. However, a friend convinced him to enroll at Grambling State.
Lee tried out for the GSU football team in 1952 and as an undersized player, he saw action as a center and linebacker, helping the Tigers to the program’s first Black College Football National Championship.
Courtesy: GSU Athletics
