Who Was the First Black NFL Player? Unpacking the Pioneers of Integration

Identifying the "first" Black player in the NFL requires a nuanced understanding of the different eras of professional football and the leagues that eventually formed the modern NFL. Several individuals broke barriers at different times, each contributing to the integration of the sport.

The first African-American player to sign a contract with an NFL team in the modern era was Kenny Washington. He played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1946 to 1948.

Charles Follis: An Early Professional Football Trailblazer

Often cited as the first Black professional football player, Charles Follis signed with the Shelby Blues of the Ohio League in 1904. The Ohio League was a recognized professional league of its time, making Follis the first known African American to play professional football on an integrated team. His presence marked a significant early step.

Fritz Pollard and Bobby Marshall: Pioneers in the APFA/NFL

In 1920, a pivotal moment arrived with the formation of the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which later became the NFL. In this inaugural year, two African American athletes, Fritz Pollard and Bobby Marshall, played in the league. Pollard also achieved the distinction of becoming the first Black head coach in the NFL in 1921.

The Reintegration Era: Kenny Washington, Woody Strode, Marion Motley, and Bill Willis

A dark period followed with a de facto ban on Black players in the NFL from 1934 to 1945. However, in 1946, the league began to reintegrate. Kenny Washington is widely recognized as the first African American to sign a contract with an NFL team in the modern era, joining the Los Angeles Rams. Shortly after, his teammate Woody Strode also joined the Rams.

Simultaneously, in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), which later merged with the NFL, Marion Motley and Bill Willis signed with the Cleveland Browns in 1946. Motley was the first Black back to earn all-league honors in the AAFC, and Willis was the first Black lineman to achieve this recognition in both the AAFC and later the NFL.

George Taliaferro: The First Black NFL Draftee

Further marking the integration, George Taliaferro became the first African American player to be drafted into the NFL in 1949.

Who is generally credited as the first Black player in the modern NFL?

Kenny Washington, who signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 1946 after the de facto ban was lifted, is generally credited as the first Black player in the modern NFL era.

Were there Black professional football players before the NFL's modern era?

Yes, Charles Follis played professional football in the Ohio League starting in 1904, making him the first known Black professional football player.

Who were the first Black players to play in the league that became the NFL?

Fritz Pollard and Bobby Marshall were the first African Americans to play in the American Professional Football Association (APFA) in 1920, which later became the NFL.

What was the significance of Marion Motley and Bill Willis?

Marion Motley and Bill Willis broke the color barrier in the AAFC in 1946 and were dominant players who earned all-league honors, demonstrating the talent of Black athletes and paving the way for further integration in professional football.

When did the NFL officially begin to reintegrate?

The NFL officially began to reintegrate in 1946 with the signings of Kenny Washington and Woody Strode by the Los Angeles Rams.