Question
Here is the question : WHO WAS THE FIRST BLACK PLAYER TO SIGN A CONTRACT WITH THE NFL?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Kenny Washington
- Fritz Pollard
- Marion Motley
- Bill Willis
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
In 1939, Kenny Washington was the top college football player of his graduating class, and he led the country in scoring that year. Unfortunately, at the time, the National Football League did not allow Black players, so he coached for a period at UCLA before joining the LAPD. After another five years, the Cleveland Rams broke the color barrier in the National Football League when they moved to Los Angeles and signed Washington.
Kenny Washington was a trailblazing figure in the world of American football, and is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of racial integration in the sport. He was the first Black player to sign a contract with the National Football League (NFL), breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of Black athletes.
Washington was born in Los Angeles, California in 1918, and began playing football in high school. He went on to play for UCLA, where he became one of the most dominant players in college football history. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in both his junior and senior seasons, and set a number of school records that still stand to this day.
Washington faced significant barriers when it came to professional football. At the time, the NFL had an unwritten ban on Black players, and teams were not allowed to sign them to contracts. This policy was enforced for over a decade, and prevented many talented Black players from pursuing careers in professional football.
However, in 1946, the Los Angeles Rams broke the color barrier by signing both Washington and his UCLA teammate Woody Strode to contracts. This was a historic moment in the history of American sports, and marked the beginning of a new era of racial integration in the NFL.
Washington went on to play for the Rams for three seasons, and was a key player on the team’s offense. He rushed for over 1,000 yards during his career, and helped lead the Rams to two NFL championship games.
Kenny Washington’s legacy as the first Black player to sign a contract with the NFL is a testament to his talent, skill, and dedication to the sport of football. He helped break down racial barriers and paved the way for future generations of Black athletes, and his contributions to the sport will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.