Manatee High School graduate and three-time Super Bowl champion Henry Lawrence will add another honor to his distinguished football career when he is inducted into the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame on Sunday, Sept. 20, in Gainesville.
Lawrence, a member of the Manatee High School Class of 1970, was previously inducted into the inaugural Manatee High School Athletic Hall of Honor in 2016. The FHSAA selected Lawrence as one of eight members of its 2026 Hall of Fame class, recognizing his accomplishments as a student-athlete and his role during the integration of Manatee County schools.
Lawrence played varsity football at Lincoln Memorial High School in Palmetto from 1966 through 1969, lining up at offensive tackle and defensive end. Lincoln Memorial was Manatee County’s public high school for Black students before desegregation. Lawrence earned All-American recognition along with All-County, All-Conference, All-District and All-State honors.
When Lincoln Memorial was converted into a middle school during integration, Lawrence completed his senior year at Manatee High School. The FHSAA credits Lawrence with demonstrating leadership and perseverance while advocating for respect and equal treatment during a challenging period of integration. Manatee High’s longtime coach Eddie Shannon, who coached at Lincoln Memorial before joining Manatee High, was among the mentors who helped shape Lawrence’s career.
Lawrence continued his football career at Florida A&M University, earning Second-Team All-American and First-Team Little All-American honors in 1973. He also participated in the 1974 Senior Bowl before the Oakland Raiders selected him 19th overall in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft.
The offensive tackle spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders from 1974 through 1986. He appeared in 187 regular-season games, started 148 and played in 20 playoff games. Lawrence was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 1983 and 1984 seasons.
Lawrence was also part of all three Raiders Super Bowl championship teams of that era, winning Super Bowls XI, XV and XVIII.
His honors continued after his playing career. Lawrence was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2023. The latter recognizes outstanding players and coaches from historically Black colleges and universities.
Lawrence, a Bradenton Kiwanis member, has remained involved in community service through motivational programs and youth outreach, including health fairs, back-to-school programs, football camps and work with at-risk and incarcerated youth.
His induction into the FHSAA Hall of Fame adds another statewide honor to a career that began on the football fields of Manatee County and ultimately included college All-American recognition, a first-round NFL draft selection, two Pro Bowls and three Super Bowl championships.
