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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.