African American and Professional Football

In 1902, Charles W. Follis aka “The Black Cyclone” (1879-1910) (below, right) became the first African-American to play professional football (non- NFL), playing for the Shelby Blues. Fritz Pollard (1894-1986) (below, left), an All-American halfback (Brown), led Brown to the Rose Bowl in 1915, turned pro (along with Bobby Marshall—also African American) in 1919, playing for the Akron (OH) Pros, and leading them to a world championship in 1920. The Pros later joined the newly formed American Professional Football Association (later renamed the National Football League). In 1921, Pollard became the first African-American to be an NFL head coach when the Pros named him co-coach of the team. George Taliaferro (born January 8, 1927) (below, center), halfback (Indiana) was the first African-American drafted into the NFL, being picked by the Chicago Bears in the thirteenth round of the 1949 draft. The NFL did not practice the same racial exclusionary practices in its early days as did major league baseball---- “America’s pastime”. 

 

Charles W. Follis aka “The Black Cyclone” (1879-1910)

 

Fritz Pollard (1894-1986)

 

George Taliaferro (born January 8, 1927)