Hall of Fame
Earl Mayo came to Morgan State University in 1963 from Washington, D.C.’s Spingarn Senior High School and made an immediate impact as a freshman backing up future NFL Hall of Famer Leroy Kelly at halfback scoring the second most points on the 1963 bear team (34 points, Oliver Dobbins first w/74 points).
As a sophomore, Mr. Mayo earned the starting halfback position and would go on to lead the Bears backfield during its 20 game winning streak spanning the 1964-1966 seasons. A multi-faceted halfback that could run, catch and block, he helped the Bears to a 33-4 record over his career including two CIAA championships (1965, 1966). He was also the starting halfback in the Bears’ two post-season appearances during that span, the 1965 Orange Blossom Classic and the 1966 Tangerine Bowl Classic.
Over his career, Mr. Mayo was an integral part of the powerhouse Morgan State offensive units that scored 1,194 points. He finished his Morgan career as a First-Team All-CIAA and All-Maryland Team selection in 1966, and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the eleventh round of the 1967 NFL draft. Unfortunately, his professional football career was derailed due to an injury suffered during training camp.
After graduating in 1967 with his Bachelor’s degree, Mr. Mayo began a 40 year career as an educator in the Washington, DC public school system, retiring in 2008. He won the system’s Teach of the Year Award three times (1985, 1996 and 2008), and served has the McKinley High head football coach for one season in 1973. Mr. Mayo currently resides in Capital Heights, MD, and has remained active in his community as a school volunteer teacher-aide, tutor and coach and a recreation volunteer coach.
