Who was Kenny Washington?
When the NFL started, in the 1920s, a handful of African Americans played in the new league. But from 1934 to 1946, there were no black players in the NFL. There wasn’t an official rule against them, but there was an unwritten understanding among the teams. The teams would not allow African Americans into the league.
When the NFL started, in the 1920s, a handful of African Americans played in the new league. But from 1934 to 1946, there were no black players in the NFL. There wasn’t an official rule against them, but there was an unwritten understanding among the teams. The teams would not allow African Americans into the league.
Washington also played baseball for the UCLA Bruins. He hit .454 and .350 during his two varsity seasons. His teammate on the UCLA football and baseball teams was … Jackie Robinson. The head coach at UCLA’s top rival, the University of Southern California, said Washington was a more skilled baseball player than Robinson.
Washington finally got his chance to play in the NFL in 1946. The Cleveland Rams had relocated to Los Angeles. The Rams agreed to allow African American players on the team after local black newspapers and the city’s stadium commission pressured the team to integrate (mix black and white players).
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/kenny-washington-paved-way-for-black-players-in-nfl/2014/02/19/063ad55e-98c2-11e3-80ac-63a8ba7f7942_story.html?utm_term=.b5170e114d3e
