WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 16, 2025) — CEV Collection and Howard University Football proudly announce a historic collaboration — the first-ever brand partnership for Howard Football — introducing the Bluford Limited Edition, a signature pair of sunglasses co-designed with the Howard football team. Proceeds from the partnership will directly benefit The Mecca Society, supporting Howard student-athletes through name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities. The collaboration is being executed under a university-approved trademark licensing agreement authorizing promotional use of university marks for campaign content. 

Working closely with Head Coach Larry Scott, CEV reimagined one of its most popular frames in Howard blue and red. Premium features include polarized lenses, “Bison” imprints on the frame and lens, custom “From Vision Comes Legacy” engraving, a keyhole bridge for a universal fit, and a four-barrel hinge for durability — uniting CEV’s design ethos with Howard University’s storied legacy. The signature style, priced at $93, pays tribute to 1893, the first year in which Howard University fielded an organized football team. According to records, the team played just one game that season — a 40-6 victory over the Washington YMCA. Over the last 132 years, Howard has been a founding institution of both the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC),  won two Black College National Championships in football, five conference championships and produced a number of NFL players including  Super Bowl champion Antoine Betha, Harvey Reed, Jay “Sky” Walker. 

The launch of the CEV Collection anchors the creative campaign “From Vision Comes Legacy,” featuring Howard student athletes and exploring how vision sparks possibility and how legacy carries that vision forward. The Bluford Limited Edition is available exclusively at CEVCollection.com. 

“This collaboration reflects the standard we set for Howard Athletics - innovative, student-centered, and true to our culture,” said Kery Davis, Howard University’s vice president and director of athletics. “As our program’s first brand partnership, it gives Bison real-world NIL experience — from concept and design to launch — while inviting alumni and fans to wear a product that carries Howard’s story. With proceeds supporting The Mecca Society, this moment directly benefits our student-athletes today and strengthens the pipeline for tomorrow.” 

Kedrick Green, a redshirt junior defensive back, was able to work closely with CEV Collection, serving as a liaison between the team and the company. The relationship helped Green learn the basics of brand development and marketing.  

“This partnership means a lot to me and the team because it was our first-ever NIL deal. Seeing that vision come to life and putting the glasses on for the first time was surreal,” said Green, a sports management major from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who also serves on the football team’s leadership council.  

“This partnership is giving our young men an opportunity to create a true collaboration of style and color — a deeper dive into the storytelling of standing on the shoulders of our history, Black history,” said Coach Scott. 

Jamal Robinson, co-founder and CEO of CEV Collection, said Howard University’s rich legacy of excellence in education and service was a major factor in pursuing the partnership. 

“When I think of culturally inspired design — the ethos of CEV — it’s only natural to collaborate with an institution known as the mecca of Black intelligentsia,” Robinson said. “And, this partnership with Howard football is helping us make something that ’re proud of, something that we can share with the Howard community along with the rest of the world.” 

Product and Availability 

• Product: Bluford Limited Edition (CEV × Howard University Football)
• Price: $93
• Features: Polarized lenses; “Bison” imprints (frame & lens); “From Vision Comes Legacy” engraving; keyhole bridge; four-barrel hinge
• Colors: Howard blue & red accents
• Availability: Exclusively at CEVCollection.com (limited release)