The Black College Football Pro Football Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the most outstanding professional football player from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The recipient is recognized annually at the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) Induction Ceremony, and the Award is presented by the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA).
The 5-foot-11, 206-pound Bethea attended Howard University, from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2006. In 12 NFL seasons, he has been selected for the Pro Bowl three times and won Super Bowl XLI as a member of the Colts. Bethea spent his first eight years in Indianapolis, then three in San Francisco, before signing a three-year contract with Arizona in 2017. In his first year with the Cardinals, Bethea had a career-high five interceptions to go along with 57 tackles.
