Honoring Robert “Uncle Bob” Grant

Robert Bernard Grant was born on October 14, 1946, in Jacksonville, NC. He passed away May 19, 2024, in San Pedro, CA after succumbing to his fight with cancer. He is survived by his wife Katherine, his sons Jason and Dax, his brothers Bill and Daryl, his sister Gail, and his grandchildren Madison, Lelani, Kelani, Bailey, and Toussaint.

Bob was raised by his grandparents and grew up in Jacksonville, NC. He graduated from Georgetown High School in 1964. After following the direction of his coach and mentor, Gideon T. Johnson, he enrolled at Wake Forest University in the fall of 1964.

As a 6’2”, 225 lb Linebacker, Bob was a highly recruited standout defensive player from Jacksonville and was one of the first three Black players to join the Demon Deacons football program which made Wake Forest University the first major Division I institution in the South to welcome Black student-athletes.  He went on to become a three-time letterman and all-ACC defensive lineman in 1966. Bob excelled both on and off the field and graduated with a degree in Speech. He was also a black belt in karate, which meant no one wanted to challenge him physically on or off the field.  Bob was eventually inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Bob’s play on the field caught the eye of professional scouts, and the Baltimore Colts selected him in the second round of the 1968 NFL draft. He played at the linebacker position from 1968-1971 with the Baltimore Colts and the Washington Redskins. Bob helped the Baltimore Colts reach Super Bowl III during his rookie season. After falling to Joe Namath and the New York Jets in 1969, Grant and the Colts would be back two years later. This time, Grant and the Colts hoisted the newly renamed trophy, the Vince Lombardi Trophy, in Super Bowl V earning him a Super Bowl Championship ring in 1971.

Upon his retirement from the NFL, Bob owned his own security company in the Los Angeles area and was the president of an investment company that specialized in real estate.

Bob was also a proud supporter and mentor for the Goals for Life Foundation, a nonprofit organization that sends former athletes into schools to work with administrators, teachers, and at-risk students to teach skills and strategies to be successful.

“We go to inner-city schools and spend time with the kids. A lot of kids think they don’t have a chance or have a level playing field and we try to help them get an opportunity. To the young people, I would say to them, don’t be deceived. My life has really exceeded my dreams and I am extremely fortunate to have had the mentors in my life that I did. I tell the kids that you can do it, too. You can go from Bell Fork Road to your Super Bowl.” 

Bob always looked to be an example of how far someone can go with an opportunity.

Bob also played a critical leadership role in establishing the National Football League Players Association, the official labor union that bargains on behalf of NFL players. He then co-founded and chaired, up until his passing, the Retired NFL Players Congress, an independent organization with the mission of supporting former players who suffer medical and financial hardship. He was known as a trusted advisor and valuable liaison between NFL owners, management, players, and the business community.

In 2021, Wake Forest announced the creation of the Robert Grant and Kenneth “Butch” Henry Trailblazer Award to recognize the significance of the first Black football players at Wake Forest University and the historical role Wake Forest Athletics played in integrating Division I sports in the South. This award celebrates Wake Forest student-athletes, alumni, staff, and community members who have blazed trails in the areas of diversity, inclusion, equity, and other important social issues that better the lives of others.

Bob and Butch were honored that fall by Wake Forest Athletics with the inaugural Trailblazer Award. 

Bob’s participation and ability to overcome racial obstacles helped pave the way for change in society and is why he was also presented with the Inspiration Award at the 2022 NCAA Convention.

Bob was an avid reader and loved spending time with his family – most of all his grandchildren, whom he called on a regular basis to keep in touch no matter what coast they lived on. Bob dedicated his life to helping others, and always gave more than he received.

His larger-than-life presence will be greatly missed by so many. May we always endeavor to live up to his standard of accomplishments and service to others. He was, for all of us, the ultimate trailblazer.

Bob’s ashes will be spread at his home away from home on the beautiful island of Kauai.