Hampton Athletics Hall of Fame
Carl Painter earned a reputation as being one of the top running backs in NCAA Division I-AA football in the mid-1980s, when he captured all-conference honors while playing football for the Hampton Pirates.
In 1985, his most sensational season as a collegian, Painter led the team and the conference in rushing, gaining 1,170 yards. That same season, he also led the Pirates in scoring with 60 points. Two years later, in 1987, his team-leading 96 points made him the CIAA’s leading scorer for that season.
As an indication of Painter’s dominance on the field, he rushed for some 3,223 yards between 1983-87. In 1985, Painter rushed for 1,170 yards to lead the team.
For three consecutive seasons between 1983-85, Painter paced the Pirates in rushing, the first football player to ever accomplish that feat at HU. Moreover, each of the four seasons he competed, he led the team in rushing. Only one other player (Alonzo Coleman) has accomplished that feat.
Painter’s exploits on the football field led to him receiving several post-season honors during his playing days, including his selection as a first-team All-CIAA performer following his banner 1985 season.
After completing his stellar career with the Pirates, Painter went on to excel in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and later in the WLAF with the Orlando Thunder. During his two seasons with the Lions, 1988 and 1989, Painter garnered 106 yards rushing along with four pass receptions for 42 yards. In one season with the Thunder, he had 47 yards rushing and 13 catches for 157 yards. He was more adept on special teams, totaling 18 kickoff returns for 361 yards with the Lions, an average of 20.1 yards per return. With the Thunder, he had 24 kickoff returns 597 yards, an average of 24.9 yards per return.
