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 unable to play college football in the SEC, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), or the Southwest Conference (SWC- an all-Texas conference which has disbanded.)
Sports is about winning, so it was only a matter of time before some school below the Mason Dixon Line brought on a black player. That school was Maryland, who recruited Darryl Hill in 1963.
Hill said that he did not want to be like Jackie Robinson, he just wanted to play football, but he endured the same treatment that Robinson did. He was subjected to racial slurs and taunts, spit on, and physically abused by not only his opponents, but his teammates as well.
When Maryland traveled to Clemson for a game, Hill received death threats and he was concerned that there would be a sniper in the stands. In the stadium he heard chants of “Kill the nigger” from the 50,000 white fans in attendance.
Blacks were not allowed in the stadium, so they had to watch the games from outside of the venue on a dirt hill that was called “Nigger Hill.” Hill had a great game in his debut for Maryland, and the black fans on the dirt hill cheered loudly after every big play that he made.
After a short stint in pro football with the New York Jets, Hill earned a master’s degree in economics at Southern Illinois University and became an entrepreneur. He started businesses in Russia and China, and also started the Pacific Energy Corporation in California. For the past five years, Hill has worked at Maryland as the Director of Business Development and Major Gifts.
Another pioneering African-American recently acknowledged Hill’s contribution when he sent a letter congratulating Hill on his recent induction into the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame.”
“Your status as the first African American in the ACC marks a significant achievement in the long struggle for equality and civil rights,” the letter began. “I’m sure your pioneering athletic and professional efforts will serve as an inspiration to all who care about human dignity and character. I salute you.”
The letter was signed by President Barack Obama, from one pioneer to another.