For a very long time, most major college football programs wanted nothing to do with Black players. While UCLA did boast the backfield of Kenny Washington, Woody Strode, and Jackie Robinson (yes, that Jackie Robinson) in the late 1930s, that was the exception.
But before that, in the absence of opportunity at those major programs, Black players in the South found different ways to succeed. The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) that had been playing football since the late 19th century and were able to bring in some of the greatest football talent ever seen.
But before that, in the absence of opportunity at those major programs, Black players in the South found different ways to succeed. The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) that had been playing football since the late 19th century and were able to bring in some of the greatest football talent ever seen.
The 51 best HBCU players in NFL history
For a very long time, most major college football programs wanted nothing to do with Black players. While UCLA did boast the backfield of Kenny Washington, Woody Strode, and Jackie Robinson (yes, t…
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