African Americans In the NFL
Many ethnic groups contribute to football; however one ethnic group stands out above all. African Americans in the past have contributed, and going forward in the future will contribute greatly to American football. Many African Americans went through rough times trying to play professional football. Between 1902 and 1933 African Americans had limited access to play in the NFL. In 1933, the NFL banned African American athletes from playing professional football. This ban lasted until 1946(Robinson). Since 1946, African Americans have made a huge impact in the NFL. If it wasn't for men like Charles Follis, who was the first known African American to play professional football, the hero's we know of in American football today would not exist (Football Hall of Fame-History1). In 1902, the Shelby Athletic Club was the first professional football team to sign an African American running back, his name was Charles Follis. Even though Charles Follis was signed in 1902, he did not receive pay until 1904. Charles Follis retired in 1906 (Robinson 1). In 1906, Charles "Doc" Baker became the second African American to play Professional football. Doc Baker played from 1906-1908 for the Akron Indians and came back for one season in
In 1977, he had a career high of 1852 yards, with an average of 5. The next two teams were the New York Giants and the Detroit Lions, who signed on Melvin Grooms, Bob Mann, Emlen Tunnell, and Roosevelt Brown. Some say that he was the first known African American to play professional football, and he is better known then Charles Follis and Doc Baker. Over the next eight years, he led the league in rushing yards seven times. To sum up his career as a professional football player, "Jimmy Brown was not only the greatest running back of all time, but one of the four or five finest professional football players of all time. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears. The 1950's and 1960's was an excellent time for African American professional football players. After his three-year contract was up, Emmitt held out to be paid a higher amount. In the period 1921-1933, there was a big increase in African American players and a step into the coaching business. It only took him six games to make it to full time status as a starter on the varsity team (Isaacs 52-55). He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the nineteenth round. Even though African Americans have had to fight their through segregation and racism in the NFL, it seems they have come out on top; their records are to numerous to count. His senior year the college recruiters were starting to seek him out, but he wanted to stay close to home. In the seventh game of the season he had already rushed for over a thousand yards, which was a record for college football.
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