Howard’s Godfrey, Thornton Selected for the NFL Experienceship Program

The National Football League (NFL) revealed its selections for its Events and Club Business Development Experienceship Program where Howard University Department of Athletics saw student-athletes Zuri Godfrey (Hampton, Va.) and Jayla Thornton (Newark, N.J.) among those chosen. The announcement came Thursday morning.

Godfrey and Thornton were among the 10 students from Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member institutions, including five from Howard.

“This is a tremendous opportunity the NFL has provided these students and student-athletes,” Dr. Dennis Thomas, MEAC Commissioner, said. “Real-world experience is immeasurable, and this can only benefit these young men and women as they matriculate through their respective universities and beyond.”

As a member of the football team, Godfrey has been an outstanding student-athlete, earning MEAC Commissioner’s All-Academic honors twice (2019 & 2020). The senior tight end studies business management with a concentration in accounting. Since his time in D.C., the Hampton, Va. native has held numerous leadership roles, including Director of Marketing for HU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Recently, he was a BOLD Marketing Intern for Google.

Thornton enters her final season at The Hilltop looking to become the newest Bison to join the 1,000-point club, just needing only 35 points. The two-time MEAC Commissioner’s All-Academic selection majors in sports management with a minor in journalism while accumulating a 3.8 grade point average inside the classroom. The Newark, N.J. product holds the record for most three-pointers made in a single season (97) and single game (9). The aspiring ESPN analyst chose HU because of the culture, diversity and alumni success.

Howard students’ Kamryn Boone (sports management), Naomi Johnson (dance & journalism) and Jalen Mitchell (sports management) join Godfrey and Thornton in the NFL Experienceship Program.

Participants will take part in mentor/mentee introductions before virtual participation in events and club business development meetings begin in the coming weeks.

From October through January, participants will be in constant communication and engagement with their mentors. This engagement will include introductions to mentors’ professional networks, participation in meetings where appropriate, invitations to NFL Speaker Series and additional league opportunities as they arise.

At a time to be determined, participants will also be invited to participate at an on-site league or club-driven event.

The NFL Experienceship Program is just one component of the league’s commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). To learn more about the NFL’s HBCU initiative, please visit the NFL Football Operations website at https://operations.nfl.com.