There are few names in the history of American football as legendary and few who transcend racial barriers the way Fritz Pollard did. He was the NFL’s first African American quarterback. Legendary and iconic, Pollard was a hard-charging talent on the field, but also a man who broke colour barriers. In 1922, the year Pollard played quarterback for the Milwaukee Badgers, he also became the first African American head coach in NFL history. He was a true pioneer who paved the way for African American players and coaches to follow.
How Fritz Pollard Came to Be the First African American Football Trailblazer
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Frederick Douglass Pollard, also known as Fritz Pollard, was born in Chicago, on January 27, 1894. He was the seventh of eight children for his mother who was Native American, and his father who was an African American who boxed professionally during Civil War times. Pollard ran track and played baseball, and football at Chicago’s Lane Tech High School.
He arrived at Brown University in 1915 and spent much of his time there showing off his athletic ability. Pollard would go on to become the first African American honored with a spot on the Walter Camp All-America team. Furthermore, he was an outstanding running back and his remarkable speed and agility helped to solidify his position. His remarkable football IQ distinguished him from his fellow athletes which no question put him in a position to rightfully receive all of the fan praise.
Racial Discrimination in Early National Football League Days
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Even his undeniable ability couldn’t protect him from the difficulties awaiting him when he pursued a professional football career in the 1920s, at a time when the NFL was just getting off the ground, and racial segregation was the norm.
As it can be easy to imagine, Fritz Pollard was often picked as the target for torment. The game of football is already rough but for Pollard, it was ten times worse as the other players would find a way to abuse him further. Being black in the NFL then was very dangerous and that made him a target for violence. Pollard challenged stereotypes, defying the racist belief that sports should be segregated solely on the basis of race or color.
Fritz Pollard Overcoming Adversity in Professional Football
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Pollard’s Legendary Impact on the NFL
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About The Author
Ana Holness is an avid sports enthusiast and content writer. Ana strives to provide engaging and insightful content for sports fans everywhere. Her writing blends a love for the game with a commitment to delivering informative analysis and captivating storytelling. She aims to capture the excitement and drama of sports through her writing. For more great content, follow her on Twitter @FireZAngel111 and @TotalApexSports
