Dover, Del. (Dec. 18, 2020) --- Delaware State head football coach Rod Milstead has been selected for  the highest honor by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) for his playing days with the Hornets.
Milstead is among five inductees announced today for the MEAC 2021 Hall of Fame class. Joining the Hornet standout in the class are Lamin Drameh (South Carolina State/ Track & Field), Lauren McCoy (Bethune-Cookman / Softball), Demetrius Harrison (No. Carolina A&T/ Football) and Allen Suber (Bethune-Cookman/Football).
One of the most decorated players in the history of the Delaware State University football program, Milstead was a standout offensive lineman for the Hornets from 1988 to '91 before an eight-year career in the National Football League.
During his tenure with the Hornets, Milstead was a three-time All-MEAC First Team selection (1989, '90, 91); and a 1991 Associated Press, Walter Camp and Sheridan Black College All-America First Team pick.
He helped lead Delaware State to the 1989 MEAC championship and a share of the conference title in 1988 and '91. During his DSU career, he also collected numerous MEAC Offensive Lineman-of-the-Week  awards.
In addition, he helped pave the way to the Hornets' No. 1 ranking among all Division I-AA (now FCS) teams in rushing at 300.2 yards per game in 1990.
Delaware State named Milstead as its Male Athlete-of-the-Year and Senior Male Athlete-of-the-Year in 1992. He was inducted into the Hornets' Athletic Hall-of-Fame in 2003.
"I've been blessed to receive a number of awards throughout my career, but this MEAC honor holds special significance for me," he said. "So much of what I've learned in life is the result of my upbringing and my association with Delaware State University. It's a tremendous honor to be recognized alongside the great athletes and individuals produced by MEAC schools."        
Last month, Milstead was among eight former Hornets named to the MEAC 50^th Anniversary Football Team, recognizing the top 50 players in the history of the league.   
Milstead earned a bachelor's in Sociology/Criminal Justice from Delaware State in 1992.
Following his collegiate career, Milstead was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 1992 National Football League draft. After several weeks in the Cowboys' training camp, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he played two seasons.
In 1994, Milstead signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he joined former Hornet star wide receiver John Taylor on the team.
Milstead was a member of San Francisco's 1995 Super Bowl champion squad. The Niners captured the title with a 49-26 win over the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX in Miami, Fla.
In four seasons with the 49ers (1994-97), Milstead competed in 36 games, including 12 starts.
He completed his professional playing career after two seasons with the Washington Redskins (1998-99), during which he appeared in 20 games, starting 11.
Milstead joins the late Dr. Luna Mishoe (Delaware State President), Mr. John Price (administrator), John Taylor (football), Mr. James Williams (administrator), Bill Collick (football) and Gene Lake (football) as DSU representatives in the MEAC Hall of Fame.  
The 2021 MEAC Hall of Fame inductees will be enshrined in a virtual ceremony during the week of the 2021 MEAC Basketball Tournament. 
"I would like to congratulate the 2021 Hall of Fame class for all their accomplishments, both athletically and professionally," MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas said. "The honorees have made significant contributions to their families, communities, institutions and this conference. They are to be commended."
The MEAC Hall of Fame highlights former student-athletes, coaches, university and conference administrators, as well as special contributors, who have enriched the legacy of the conference since its inception in 1970. Enshrinees were selected by an 11-person committee made up of administrators and representatives from member institutions.
 The inaugural Hall of Fame class was inducted on May 29, 1981 during a 10-year anniversary banquet in Greensboro, N.C. Since its establishment, the MEAC Hall of Fame has enshrined 158 people, including the Class of 2021.