During his college career, he led the Hawks to an overall record of 28-1-1, while averaging 21.6 points per game. In addition, they won two CIAA championships, in 1955 and 1957. Playing offense and defense, he was selected to the Little All-American Team by the Pittsburgh Courier and to the All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Team in 1957. He was the first player from an HBCU to be selected to play in the nationally recognized College All-Star Game. He is the only professional football player to have won all three: an NFL, AFL and Super Bowl Championship. Sample finished his 11 professional football seasons with 41 interceptions, which he returned for 460 yards and four touchdowns. He also recovered 13 fumbles, returning them for 61 yards. On special teams, he returned 68 punts for 559 yards and a touchdown, along with 60 kickoffs for 1,560 yards and a touchdown. Sample led the NFL in punt return yards in 1961.
