Terron Armstead never forgot where he came from.Before anchoring NFL offensive lines for 12 seasons, Armstead was pancaking defenders at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a proud HBCU that molded him into one of the most athletic linemen football has ever seen.
Now, the Miami Dolphins have placed the veteran tackle on the reserve/retired list, officially ending a career that began with dreams in the SWAC and finished with dominance on Sundays.Armstead’s journey from UAPB to the NFL was anything but ordinary. Between 2010 and 2012, he earned three consecutive First-Team All-SWAC honors and turned heads at the 2013 NFL Combine with a jaw-dropping 4.71-second 40-yard dash at over 300 pounds. Drafted 75th overall by the New Orleans Saints, he quickly became a cornerstone of their offensive line, starting 97 games across nine seasons and protecting the likes of Drew Brees.After signing a five-year, $75 million deal with Miami in 2022, Armstead added two more Pro Bowls to his résumé and served as a critical veteran presence during a pivotal era for the Dolphins. His leadership helped stabilize a young offensive front and protect a resurging Tua Tagovailoa.
Though nagging injuries shortened several seasons, Armstead’s influence never wavered.But to HBCU fans, his legacy runs deeper than Pro Bowl nods or playoff pushes.A vocal champion for HBCUs, Armstead co-founded the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, giving overlooked talent a national stage.
His voice in the movement for more NFL scouting at Black colleges has helped reshape how talent from these institutions is evaluated. Off the field, he built the Team Armstead Foundation, converting a bowling alley in his hometown of Cahokia, Illinois into a community center serving local youth. Now officially retired, Terron Armstead steps away from the game with his head high, and his legacy secured. He’s not just an HBCU great. He’s a blueprint.