Fritz Pollard was the first African-American coach in the National Football League. He coached the Chicago Black Hawks in the 1920s.
Bobby Marshall, along with Fritz Pollard, were the first two African Americans to play in the NFL in 1920. Pollard played for the Akron Pros and Marshall played for the Rock Island Independants
Charles Follis was believed to be the first black player in the NFL from 1902 to 1906. Between 1920 and 1926, there were only nine black people that played in the NFL, making Fritz Pollard and Bobby Marshall the first black players in the NFL in 1920.
Art Shell became the first African American NFL head coach of the modern era when he was hired by the Los Angeles Raiders in 1989.
Halfback Kenny Washington (March 21) and end Woody Strode (May 7) signed with the Los Angeles Rams to become the first African-Americans to play in the NFL in the modern era. Guard Bill Willis (August 6) and running back Marion Motley (August 9) joined the AAFC with the Cleveland Browns.
He was one of the best running backs in NFL history.
Fritz Pollard.
Fritz Pollard.
That was Fritz Pollard who was head coach of the Akron Pros in 1921. As far as 'modern day' NFL goes, that would be Art Shell who became head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders in the 1989 season.
Fritz Pollard was the first African American quarterback in the NFL. He was also the first African American coach in the NFL.
The first head coach in the was Art Shell, but the first coach was Fritz Pollard.
There are several possible answers: College: There were black coaches as soon as the historically black colleges and universities started playing football. Clarence Matthews was the coach of Tuskegee University in 1893, he may have been the first. NFL: In the early days of the NFL, the job of coach was usually filled by a player on the team. And there were a handful of black NFL players between 1919 and 1933. Hall of Famer Fritz Pollard was a co-coach on the 1919 Akron Pros, and then coached the 1925 Hammond Pros. FBS College: The first black coach of a Division I-A school (now called FBS) was Willie Jeffries, who was named the head coach at Wichita State in 1979. Wichita State eliminated their football team in 1986. NFL Modern: The first modern black NFL coach was Art Shell, who was promoted to head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders on October 4, 1989.
Fritz Pollard
Fritz Pollard and Bobby Marshall --> 1920
In the modern era, yes.Fritz Pollard was a player/coach of the 1921 Akron Pros and would be considered the first African American head coach in NFL history.
Bobby Marshall, along with Fritz Pollard, were the first two African Americans to play in the NFL in 1920. Pollard played for the Akron Pros and Marshall played for the Rock Island Independants
Fritz Pollard and Bobby Marshall were the first colored players in what now is the NFL in 1920.
Fritz Pollard for the 1920 Akron Pros and Bobby Marshall for the 1920 Rock Island Independents.