Albert Chester Sr., the FAMU quarterback who led the Rattlers to the 1978 FCS National Championship, has been honored as a member of the 2025 Bob Hayes Hall of Fame class.
The Bob Hayes Hall of Fame is an annual ceremony that showcases and celebrates athletes, students, partners, and humanitarians who have made significant contributions to their respective sport or community.
Chester Sr. was recognized for his contributions to the game of football at FAMU as the only quarterback in the country to go undefeated in 1977 and bring the first I-AA national championship back home for the Rattlers in 1978.
“It’s always special when folks recognize you and the things that you accomplished and the things that you’ve done,” Chester Sr. said. “To be associated with Bob Hayes in any fashion to me is a treat in itself.”
Bob Hayes, who was also a former FAMU football player, is the only athlete to win two Olympic gold medals at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and won the 1972 Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys. His contributions to athletics live on through the Bob Hayes Invitational Annual track meet and Hall of Fame held in Jacksonville, Florida.
Additionally, former Head Coach Rudy Hubbard gave his full support to Chester Sr. for his recognition and believes that what he was able to accomplish as FAMU’s quarterback will never be duplicated.
“Albert was the one that really paid attention, made everything work, and the rest was history,” said Hubbard. “He was a special player and is so deserving of this award because very few can say we won a national championship together.”
Albert Chester Sr. was also accompanied by his son Albert Chester II at the ceremony, who expressed his admiration of his father’s recognition.
“When something is in your DNA, it’s just in your DNA,” Chester II said. “Just seeing how he worked, getting to know his teammates, Coach Hubbard, and just really being a part of the FAMULY tradition and legacy that they left, I think anyone would find inspiration from.”
Chester Sr. insisted that his most memorable part of the Hall of Fame was sharing the experience alongside his family.
“My mom used to tell me it’s your day today, and it’s going to be somebody else’s day tomorrow, but obviously tomorrow has come and gone for me,” Chester Sr. said. “To have my grandsons there and other people talk about the things that I have done, that’s always honorable.”
The Bob Hayes Hall of Fame Ceremony went on to honor four more inductees in its Class of 2025, recognizing standout athletes from both track and field and football. Among those were accomplished Olympians such as Justin Gatlin, Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry, Garret Scantling, and Pauline Davis-Thompson.