GREENSBORO – The North Carolina A&T Department of Athletics officially retired former A&T football player Elvin Bethea's jersey No. 75 last Saturday during halftime of A&T's game against rival North Carolina Central University (NCCU) at Truist Stadium. 

Bethea becomes the third Aggie to have his number retired, joining men's basketball player Al Attles (No. 22) and baseball player Al Holland (No. 17). 

"Mr. Bethea epitomizes North Carolina A&T football and, more broadly, North Carolina A&T State University," said Director of Athletics Earl M. Hilton III. "He is strong but graceful. Successful yet humble. He has Aggie Pride with the purpose of benefiting others. As a Pro Football Hall of Famer, he gives every young man who plays football at A&T something to strive toward. It is fitting that a man of Elvin Bethea's character, courage, determination and intelligence becomes the first player in our illustrious football history to have his number retired."  

Bethea's journey to A&T came via Trenton, N.J. Mel "Big 10" Groomes, a New Jersey native, heard stories of a young man who broke the state shot put record in 1964 by tossing it 66-feet, 4 ½ inches, a record that stood for 33 years. The young man, Elvin Lamont Bethea, was also the state champion in the discus. 

Groomes also heard the young man was as big as an offensive tackle with the speed of most running backs. At the time, Groomes was the defensive back and running backs coach for the A&T football program. Groomes convinced one of the most well-known athletes in New Jersey to attend North Carolina A&T State University. 

Bethea went on to star as an offensive lineman at A&T before being drafted by the Houston Oilers in the third round. He played 210 games for the Oilers, including 135 consecutive games from 1968-1977. Bethea was a two-time NFL All-Pro and an eight-time Pro-Bowl selection. 

In 2003, Bethea became the first Aggie inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with former A&T head football coach Hornsby Howell introducing him to the podium. His No. 65 is retired by the Tennessee Titans, formerly the Houston Oilers. His alma mater did the same, retiring his No. 75 on Sept. 9, 2023. 

A medical issue prevented Bethea from attending Saturday's halftime ceremony. But nine of his former teammates stood in his place as A&T officials handed a framed version of his retired jersey to his former A&T teammate and roommate Dennis Homesley. His jersey hangs in the concourse of Truist Stadium. 

"When I went into the pros that year, I was looked down upon because I went to a black college. They thought I couldn't play," said Bethea. "We didn't have the status of those who went to a Notre Dame, a California, or anywhere else, but when I showed up for the game, I went all out. I'm going to show you how good we are and how I'm going to represent my college, myself, and the team that I'm with the Oilers. 

If you can make it at A&T, you can make it anywhere in the world."