January 7, 2001 Lowell W. Perry, the first African American assistant coach in the National Football League, died. Perry was born December 5, 1931 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He played college football at the University of Michigan where he was an All-American receiver. After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953, Perry was selected by […]
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December 26th in African American History – Reginald Howard White
December 26, 2004 Reginald Howard White, hall of fame football player, died. White was born December 19, 1961 in Chattanooga, Tennessee and from 1980 to 1983 played for the University of Tennessee where he was an All-American. After college, he signed with the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League and after that league […]
December 14th in African American History – Johnny D. Bright
December 14, 1983 Johnny D. Bright, hall of fame Canadian Football League player, died. Bright was born June 11, 1930 in Fort Wayne Indiana. He played college football at Drake University where he led the nation in total offense in 1949 and 1950. On October 20, 1951 in a game against Oklahoma State University, Bright […]
November 27th in African American History – William Karnet Willis
November 27, 2007 William Karnet Willis, hall of fame football player, died. Willis was born October 5, 1921 in Columbus, Ohio. He played college football at Ohio State University and in 1944 was named an All-American. After graduating in 1945, Willis took a job as the head football coach at Kentucky State College.
November 18th in African American History – Harold Warren Moon
November 18, 1956 Harold Warren Moon, hall of fame football player, was born in Los Angeles, California. Although Moon was a star high school quarterback, none of the major colleges were interested in him as a quarterback therefore he enrolled in West Los Angeles College where he set a number of records. Based on that […]
October 5th in African American History – William Karnet Willis
October 5, 1921 William Karnet Willis, hall of fame football player, was born in Columbus, Ohio. Willis played college football at Ohio State University and in 1944 was named an All-American. After graduating in 1945, he took a job as head football coach at Kentucky State College. Since the National Football League unofficially barred African […]
June 17th in African American History – Venus Ebony Starr Williams
June 17, 1980 Venus Ebony Starr Williams, professional tennis player, was born in Lynwood, California. Williams began her professional tennis career in 1994 and won her first World Tennis Association singles title in 1998. Over her career, she has won 43 WTA singles titles, more than any other active player on the WTA tour. She […]