OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. | Leading a top Hornets defense in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Alabama State University's James Burgess has earned the 2024 Aeneas Williams Award. Burgess received the honor on behalf of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and presenting sponsor the Chickasaw Nation, given to the top defensive back in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
 
Center Point, Alabama native, James Burgess is the third recipient of the Aeneas Williams Award, established in 2022, and the first recipient from Alabama State and the SWAC. Burgess posted an incredible senior season for the Hornets, ultimately being named as a 2024 BOXTOROW First Team All-American and 2024 First Team All-SWAC defensive back.
 
As this season's two-time Aeneas Williams Award HBCU DB of the Week, Burgess rallied a powerhouse Alabama State defense to two dominating comeback wins in Week 7 over Mississippi Valley State and in Week 10 securing a Port City Classic win over Alcorn State. Burgess' four interceptions and ten passes defended led him to tying for first and third in the SWAC in those respective categories. In addition, his 53 tackles contributed to putting the Hornets defense on top in the SWAC, ranking first or second in nine categories, and in the top 10 teams in the FCS in ten categories.
 
Burgess was targeted 37 times with only 9 catches in man coverage.  He participated in 23 games as a junior and senior season surrendered three TDs and scored two TDs on Special teams. During that period  he tallied six INTs and 18 PBUs, one sack and three fumble recoveries.
 
Burgess will represent Alabama State as a 2025 selection to the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl and was named as a watch list player for the 2024 Deacon Jones Trophy Black College Football Player of the Year.
 
Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Chickasaw Nation will honor Burgess as the 3^rd Annual Aeneas Williams Award Winner at the 39th Anniversary of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet Honoring Jahdae Barron, The University of Texas at Austin, in Oklahoma City on Feb. 4, 2025.
 
Aeneas Williams Award Important Dates
 
Tue., Feb. 4, 2025: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet Honoring Jahdae Barron, The University of Texas, and Aeneas Williams Award Winner James Burgess, Alabama State University, in Oklahoma City
The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and Aeneas Williams Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following each respective award's announcement. The current winner and all former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.
 
For more information on the Aeneas Williams Award, past award recipients, or banquet ticketing and advertising information, please visit oklahomasportshalloffame.org.
 
The Aeneas Williams Award serves as the first award of its kind in HBCU history. Established in 2022 in honor of its namesake, Southern University walk-on and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Aeneas Williams, it is awarded to the best defensive back in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The contribution of HBCUs to the landscape of college football and the NFL has forever left an impact on the game. HBCUs hold an incredibly rich athletic tradition, tied to the game of football, that continues to exemplify the culture of these schools for over the past century.

New Orleans-raised Aeneas Williams was a junior walk-on defensive back at Southern University. The next year, Aeneas tied the NCAA Division I-AA single-season interception record. He was drafted in the third round of the 1991 draft by the Arizona Cardinals and became a St. Louis Ram in 2001. During a remarkable 14-year NFL career - that led to his induction into the NFL Hall of Fame, a Super Bowl appearance, eight Pro Bowls and four All-Pro selections - Aeneas had chances to help some of his teammates through some of life's rougher patches. These opportunities led Aeneas to the realization that unhappiness doesn't come from the things in our lives. It comes from things missing from our lives. Aeneas made his personal commitment to Jesus Christ during his junior year at Southern University and has devoted his off-field life to sharing the wisdom and understanding of the Word of God. Pastor Aeneas has a love for people and a passion for helping each of us fulfill our full potential. In 2007, Aeneas and his wife of 23 years, Tracy, founded The Spirit Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where he serves as Senior Pastor. Aeneas, Tracy, their three daughters Saenea, Tirzah and Cheyenne and son Lazarus live in Creve Coeur, Missouri.

The Chickasaw Nation is dedicated to meeting our mission to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people, ensuring that they stay united, thriving and dedicated to the preservation of family, community and heritage in the State of Oklahoma. A diverse economic portfolio generates funds to support a variety of quality programs and services in the State of Oklahoma in the areas of education, health care, youth and more, which directly benefit Chickasaws and their Oklahoma communities.
 
DraftHBCUPlayers is a platform and movement dedicated to evaluating black college talent for professional sports. Pairing scouting with history while motivating our student-athletes is our top priority. DraftHBCUPlayers consists of scouts, producers, photographers, coaches, and writers striving towards one goal: promoting HBCU athletes throughout every conference, division, and sport.
 
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is universally accepted as one of the nation's top collegiate sports honors.