Eugene L. Mingo (born September 22, 1938 in Akron, OH) is a former professional football player who played several positions including halfback, placekicker and return specialist. He is widely recognized as the first African American placekicker in American football. … [Read more...] about NFL Open Thread: Gene Mingo, First Black Kicker in the NFL
African American Firsts
Thursday Open Thread: African American Firsts, College Football
Good morning Prag Obots: Today we take a look at the game that broke racial barriers --- USC at Alabama (1970). After Darryl Hill integrated the ACC (1963), The South West Conference soon followed the ACC’s lead. The SEC, home to perennial national powers like Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Tennessee stubbornly maintained their "white only" traditions. That all changed in … [Read more...] about Thursday Open Thread: African American Firsts, College Football
Wednesday Open Thread: African Amercan Firsts, College Football
Good morning Pragmatic Obots. Today we salute Darryl Hill, the Jackie Robinson of Southern college football. During the era of segregation, college football in the South mirrored society, as blacks were unable to eat at the same restaurants as whites; they were unable to drink from the same water fountains; they were unable to obtain good education or jobs, and they were … [Read more...] about Wednesday Open Thread: African Amercan Firsts, College Football
Tuesday Open Thread: African American Firsts, College Football
William H. Lewis, was a world-class collegiate athlete, lawyer, and politician. Lewis, the son of former slaves was born in Berkeley (now Norfolk), Virginia in 1868. He began his college education at Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute (now Virginia State) at age 15 but transferred to Amherst a year later. Lewis played football at Amherst and was elected team captain … [Read more...] about Tuesday Open Thread: African American Firsts, College Football
Monday Open Thread: African American Firsts, College Football
Good morning Prag Obots! Today we take a look at the first college football game played by two historically black colleges. CHARLOTTE OBSERVER – A college football tailgate is a pretty standard tradition every Saturday in the fall, but at Memorial Stadium in Charlotte there was something more to celebrate--history. Livingstone College and Johnson C. Smith alumni, students … [Read more...] about Monday Open Thread: African American Firsts, College Football