Nunnie on the Sideline
By Nunnie Robinson, WG Sports Editor
In the wake of our hometown Miami Dolphins’ latest episode of playoff futility, a familiar transformation occurs. Dolphins fans, deprived once again, inevitably become neutral football fans—simply searching for professional football played at the highest level by elite players on exceptional teams. This postseason offered that opportunity with teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills, and Chicago Bears.
Notably, three of those four teams were led by Black quarterbacks, while the fourth—Buffalo’s Josh Allen—plays like one: an athletically gifted, multidimensional quarterback capable of beating you with his arm, his legs, and his mind. Astonishingly, all four teams were eliminated from the playoffs, a sequence of events that culminated in the dismissal of Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott after nine highly successful seasons.
From my personal perspective, it was a miserable, catastrophic weekend of football.
A brief analysis begins in Houston. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has regressed from his brilliant rookie campaign, repeatedly attempting to create something out of nothing—when nothing would have been the smarter choice. Houston’s elimination now forces the franchise to reassess the most important position in sports.
Chicago’s young, phenomenal quarterback appeared poised to lead the Bears to NFC contention and possibly a Super Bowl run—until greed overtook judgment. An overtime interception on a deep pass intended for D J Moore abruptly reversed Chicago’s momentum, allowing the Matthew Stafford–led Rams to prevail on a 42-yard field goal.
Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts and the Eagles seemed to forget to bring their offense, assuming last season’s Super Bowl success would be enough to overcome an undermanned San Francisco 49ers team. It wasn’t.
My football purgatory might have been eased had the underdog Miami Hurricanes managed to upset No. 1 Indiana. Instead, Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck fell victim to the same fatal flaw: greed. With no timeouts but ample clock remaining, he forced a long throw to a lone receiver blanketed by both a safety and a cornerback. One immutable rule of quarterbacking applies—when you release the ball, you must be certain only your receiver can catch it.
The Canes fell to a true team of destiny: the Indiana Hoosiers—16–0 national champions, led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and the presumptive No. 1 pick in April’s NFL Draft. Credit is due to Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, who made a pivotal decision late in the game. Eschewing a field goal, he opted for a fourth-down quarterback draw. Mendoza’s sensational run applied enormous pressure on Miami, which suddenly needed two scores to win. The rest, as they say, is history.
And once again, I’m left wondering—how is it that the New England Patriots continue to leapfrog the seemingly stagnant Miami Dolphins? No answer required. That was rhetorical frustration.
As for what lies ahead, this may shape up to be the most anticlimactic Super Bowl in recent memory. With Denver losing its quarterback to a serious leg injury—and with Sean Payton not exactly among my favorite coaches—I expect New England to win the AFC. In the NFC, I like Seattle over the Rams.
My Super Bowl prediction:
Seattle 31, New England 17.
The 2026 Black College Football Hall of Fame class has been announced:
- Jimmy Smith — Jackson State
- Eddie Robinson Jr. — Alabama State
- Nick Collins — Bethune-Cookman
- Tyrone Poole — Fort Valley State
- Coach Rudy Hubbard — Florida A&M
- Steve Wyche — Howard
From HBCU campuses to championship stages, this distinguished class represents excellence earned—Super Bowl champions, national title winners, trailblazers, storytellers, and leaders. Every journey is different. Every legacy undeniable.
Atlanta, Georgia
June 6, 2026
17th Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Presented by the Atlanta Falcons.