Firsts by Black Players, Coaches & Officials in the NFL (2024)

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Kenny Washington

Los Angeles Rams HB-DB Kenny Washington, who broke the NFL's color barrier in 1946, was hailed as "a legend and a symbol in his own time" by Martin Luther King.

Anonymous/AP

2 / 21

Wally Triplett

First African American draftee to play in the NFL - Wally Triplett, halfback (Penn State). Picked by the Detroit Lions in the nineteenth round of the 1949 draft. Played with Detroit 1949-1950; Chicago Cardinals 1952-53

Pro Football Hall of Fame

3 / 21

Paul "Tank" Younger

First athlete from a historically black college or university to play in the NFL - Paul (Tank) Younger, fullback-linebacker (Grambling). Los Angeles Rams 1949-1957; Pittsburgh 1958 (Pro Football Hall of Fame)

Pro Football Hall of Fame

4 / 21

George Taliaferro

First African American drafted by an NFL club - George Taliaferro, halfback (Indiana). Picked by the Chicago Bears in the thirteenth round of the 1949 draft but elected to sign with the Los Angeles Dons of the AAFC. Played with the Dons 1949; New York Yanks 1950-51; Dallas 1952; Baltimore 1953-54; Philadelphia 1955

Pro Football Hall of Fame

5 / 21

Willie Thrower

First African American quarterback in the NFL - Willie Thrower (Michigan State), Chicago Bears 1953.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

6 / 21

Burl Toler

First African American official - Burl Toler (San Francisco University), field judge/head linesman, 1965 to 1989.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

7 / 21

Johnny Grier

First African American referee - Johnny Grier (University of D.C.), 1988.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

8 / 21

Bill Willis

First African American lineman to win all-league honors - AAFC-Bill Willis, guard (Ohio State), Cleveland, 1946 NFL-Bill Willis, guard, Cleveland, 1950.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

9 / 21

Fritz Pollard

In 1920, Fritz Pollard became one of the first two African American players in the newly founded American Professional Football Association, later renamed the National Football League. In 1921, Pollard became the first African American head coach in NFL history when the Pros named him co-coach of the team.

Anonymous/Pro Football Hall of Fame

10 / 21

Woody Strode

Los Angeles Rams Woody Strode was one of the first African American players in the NFL after the re-integration of black athletes into the league in 1946.

AP

11 / 21

Marion Motley

First African American back to win all-league honors AAFC-Marion Motley, fullback (South Carolina State; Nevada), Cleveland, 1946 NFL-Marion Motley, fullback, Cleveland, 1950.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

12 / 21

Lowell Perry

Lowell Perry (87) became the first African American assistant coach in the NFL in 1957, for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also became the first black broadcaster for the NFL in 1966.

Uncredited/ASSOCIATED PRESS

13 / 21

Emlen Tunnell

First African American elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame - Emlen Tunnell, defensive back (Iowa), New York Giants 1949-1958, Green Bay 1959-1961: elected 1967.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

14 / 21

Doug Williams

First African American starting quarterback in a Super Bowl - Doug Williams, Washington Redskins, Super Bowl XXII (following the 1987 season).

Pro Football Hall of Fame

15 / 21

Franco Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) was the first African American to win the Super Bowl MVP in 1975.

Harry Cabluck/AP

16 / 21

Ozzie Newsome

First African American general manager - Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore Ravens, 2002.

Phil Hoffmann

17 / 21

Art Shell

First African American head coach, modern era - Art Shell, 1989 Los Angeles Raiders.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

18 / 21

Mike Carey

First African American referee in a Super Bowl - Mike Carey, Super Bowl XLII.

James A. Finley/Associated Press

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Tony Dungy, Lovie Smith

During Super Bowl XLI, Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy and Chicago Bears' head coach Lovie Smith were the first African American head coaches to face each other in the Super Bowl.

Associated Press

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Jerry Reese

New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning the NFL Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. Jerry Reese became the first African American GM to win a Super Bowl.

Evan Pinkus/AP

21 / 21

Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes

Philidelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) become the first black quarterbacks to play each other in the Super Bowl for Super Bowl LVII.

NFL