ELIZABETH CITY, NC- Vikings class of 1969 quarterback and former NFL player Johnnie Walton was named a finalist for the 2021 Black College Football Hall of Fame induction class.
 
Walton was the starting quarterback for the Vikings from 1965-68. He was named to the All-CIAA team his senior year (1968), completing 114 of 204 passes for 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns. Walton led the Vikings to an 8-1 record and graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education.
 
A total of 25 finalist were announced last week. The honorees featured 22 players and three coaches. Walton has experienced the best of both worlds as a former head coach and assistant coach at ECSU. However, it is his athletic performance that landed him on the prestigious list amongst the best in HBCU football. If selected, Walton will join Jethro Pugh as the only other Viking named to the HOF. 
 
The Elizabeth City native received a real shot at showing off his skills during a North Carolina all-star game after the conclusion of his senior season at ECSU. 
 
Vikings former head coach and legend Thomas Caldwell believed in Walton's talent and was a major catalyst in connecting him with the Los Angeles Rams. Walton signed a free agent contract that seemingly undermined his value; however, he was optimistic and grateful for a shot to play against the best in football. He understood that coming from the CIAA conference to the big stage was a major accomplishment at the time. He desired to prove that it was well deserved. 
 
Walton was well known throughout the CIAA, North Carolina, and the HBCU football community for his undeniable ability to elevate a team's offense in the air and capitalize off the pass. The 6-foot quarterback was described as poised in the pocket with an aptitude and IQ for picking apart a team's defense to get the ball in the hands of his receivers. Walton spent time playing in the Continental Football League and the World Football League throughout the mid-1970's when things didn't go as planned with the Rams. 
 
On December 13, Walton led the Capitals to the 1969 Continental Football League championship game completing 14 of 30 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns to knock off the San Antonio Toros 44-38 in overtime.  
 
1976-79 Walton re-entered the NFL signing to the Philadelphia Eagles as a back up quarterback. He left the Eagles to return to ECSU as the head coach for the Vikings in 79'. The Viking alum had an immediate impact on the program and took the Vikings to the Division II playoffs in his second year.
 
In 1985 Walton was inducted into the ECSU Hall of Fame. 
 
Despite being a stellar athlete and having an unmatched passion for the sport of football, Walton has served as the City Councilman of Elizabeth City's 4^th Ward for multiple terms. He was re-elected in October of last year and continues to serve the city in numerous capacities. 
 
The Black College Football Hall of Fame has played a pivotal role in pioneering and preserving the greatest talent past and present within historically black colleges and universities football programs since its establishment in 2009. 
 
The Elizabeth City State University Vikings and community are excited about Walton's accolade in being named as a Black College Football Hall of Fame Finalist. The inductees will be announced on November 19^th.