Claude Humphrey

Claude B. Humphrey (June 29, 1944 – December 3, 2021) was an American professional football player who played defensive end in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.

Humphrey was born in Memphis to Dosie and Millie (Mays) Humphrey, and grew up in a "shotgun house." He attended Lester High School in Memphis, where he played football and basketball, ran the low hurdles, and excelled in the shot put. He held the Tennessee high school record in the shot put for almost four decades, and his high school basketball team finished as state runner-up twice.

He attended Tennessee State University, a Historically Black College and University in Nashville, and played varsity football from 1965 to 1967 under coach John Merritt. Arriving as a freshman offensive tackle in 1964, he was switched to defensive tackle, a position at which he became a two- or three-time All-American. Tennessee State was twice an HBCU national champion during his time there.

Humphrey was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.