Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson to officially square of at home of Super Bowl champions

The talk of one HBCU football game moving to an NFL stadium is officially a reality.

Delaware State and Norfolk State’s MEAC game, originally scheduled for Sat. Nov. 1 at Alumni Stadium in Dover, will now be played Thursday Oct. 30 at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Both teams will be coached by former Eagles teammates; Delaware State will be led by former Eagle receiver DeSean Jackson and Norfolk State by former Philly quarterback Michael Vick. Both coaches are entering their first year on the job.

“While we are both excited about the game, this is more than that,” Norfolk State President Javaune Adams-Gaston and Delaware State President Tony Allen said in a joint statement. “It is an opportunity to showcase our talented students on and off the field, as well as the great many faculty, staff, and coaches whose work is a labor of love. The measure of this game’s success will be in the light it shines on the power of our HBCU community; we are the best return on investment in higher education.”

“I came to Delaware State University to start a new phase of my career with a unique institution that cares about its students and is helping to transform their futures,” Jackson. “I know Coach Vick feels the same way at Norfolk State. A part of that transformation is opening our students and scholar athletes up to a whole new set of experiences at the highest level. For our teams to be playing in Philly, at Lincoln Financial Field, on the field Coach Vick and I called home for many years will be special for our players, our coaching staffs, our Alumni and fans, and for HBCU culture around the country.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our student-athletes to play in a world-class venue on a world-class stage,” Vick added. “Coach Jackson and I made so many unforgettable memories together at Lincoln Financial Field – this stadium holds special meaning in my NFL career. I am thrilled to be a part of this historic moment and want to thank the Philadelphia Eagles, Norfolk State, and Delaware State for their collaboration to make this happen.”