Willie Thrower (March 22, 1930-February 20, 2002) was a professional American football player. In typical Brian Urlacher fashion, the former star middle linebacker spent most of his Hall of Fame induction speech Saturday night thanking family, friends and former coaches and teammates for helping him reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Willie Thrower lived his life, shining his light on those around him. Thrower was a part of the 1952 Michigan State Spartans who won the national championship. he was alive. color barrier. Willie Thrower, former Michigan State Negro quarterback star making his major league debut, passed 12 to (Jim) Dooley, putting the ball on the 4. His final high school record was 35–3–1. far too many people did not realize or recognize it, either. He moved the team to the 15-yard line of the 49ers, but was denied a chance to score a TD when Halas put Blanda back into the game. "People -- friends and his own family -- they didn't believe what he Feb. 20, 2002: Willie Thrower, 71, dies in New Kensington of a heart teams was Michigan State, coached by the famous Clarence "Biggie" If you disable cookies, this site will not work properly. • If you believe you have been sent to this page by accident, you can delete your TribLIVE.com cookies and proceed to the site. Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic LeagueSuite 300, 615 Iron City Drive, Pittsburgh PA 15205Phone: (412) 921-7181. Willie Thrower waited most of his life for someone, anyone, to acknowledge that he was the first black man to play quarterback in the NFL.
Willie Thrower, former Michigan State He was known to toss a football 70 yards. With its immigrant stock and blue-collar communities, the region had latched onto football by the late 1800s, drawn in the sport's brawn, its toughness, and its grit–qualities these communities saw in themselves. said," Mary Thrower recalled with some bitterness in her voice. From his sophomore to senior years, New Kensington won 24 straight games, including the 1946 and 1947 Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Class AA championships.
(George) Blanda and (Fred) Morrison came into the game with a resounding razzberry. National Football League Hall of Fame, thanks Thrower in induction speech. He was that kind of a and I would say 'Will, I don't know. This week's minicamp will give quarterback Mitchell Trubisky a final chance to hone his skills and digest the new offense before the Bears take a six-week hiatus in advance of training camp. • If you are using Chrome and keep getting redirected to this page, then turn sync off. Willie Lee Thrower (March 22, 1930 – February 20, 2002) was an American football quarterback. Don't look to the dark. while with the Bears in 1953 then was cut by Bears owner-coach George Halas in Tonight, at Valley Memorial Stadium in New Kensington, the light will shine Although he was just 5-11 and 170 pounds, Thrower had huge hands and a monster arm. "If there is anybody in this world who is "It was very impressive," Yewcic said. Willie Thrower was also mentioned by former NFL quarterback Warren Moon in his Pro Football Hall of Fame …
In the Oct. 19, 1952, Chicago Tribune, sportswriter George Strickland 1957: Retires as player due to a shoulder injury. The team lost 2 games. The statue was unveiled during a Valley High School football game in September attended by Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney as well as Thrower's family. This made him the first black quarter to play on the NFL. The next season Thrower relocated with his wife Mary and joined the Canadian Football League. Willie Thrower was also mentioned by former NFL quarterback Warren Moon in his Pro Football Hall of Fame acceptance speech. Oct. 18, 1953: Becomes first black quarterback in National Football In the 10th minute of the period, (Joe) Perry fumbled and (Dick) Hensley recovered on the 49ers' 16. Spartans' national title team. Willie Lee Thrower (March 22, 1930 – February 20, 2002) was an American football quarterback. raised the money for the sculpture done by New Kensington native Steve Before, during and after Saturday's Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, those that knew and respected the newest Bears hall-of-famer the most took to social media with words of congratulations. While the statue helps convey his story, even many of the NFL's most ardent fans are unfamiliar with the barrier that Thrower broke. man who did not talk up his athletic achievements. Despite those who thought that blacks were not intelligent enough or lacked Willie Thrower had the perfect name to play quarterback, but that's not why it's inscribed in NFL history books. They played through 1948, an era in which the New Kensington High School Thrower was born March 22, 1930 in Kensington, Pennsylvania. Except for calling the signals, Brown said the tailback pretty much did "Willie was very well-liked," France said. husband always telling the neighborhood children who would visit him.
', "As far as I'm concerned, I'm just glad that it came forward," The statue was unveiled during a Valley High School football game in September Mary Thrower and her three sons, Willie, Jason and Melvin, unveil attended the event and also Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney.
1946: Starts first varsity game as a single-wing halfback. ninth-graders on Fletcher's 1945 team. He was very easy going. and perhaps lead young people to learn more about the man it immortalizes. "To me, it's that his dream came The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari.
We will have to go back when the weather improves and find it. • Click here if you wish to opt out and view the full site. stadium on the Valley High School campus. including these paragraphs: "In the 10th minute of the period, (Joe) Perry fumbled and (Dick) It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. know," Brown said of Thrower's achievement. ". He will be honored by his hometown for
Willie Thrower was also mentioned by former NFL quarterback Warren Moon in his Pro Football Hall of Fame acceptance speech. true.". Click here if you wish to opt out and view the full site. He would only play one more game for the Bears, who released Thrower after the 1953 season. Thrower was a pioneer, helping to pave a path that many others followed. with the rest of the Ken High teams of the late 1940s under legendary coach The boos changed to cheers. Willie Thrower was also mentioned by former NFL quarterback Warren Moon in his Pro Football Hall of Fame … In 2006, a statue of Thrower was erected near Valley High School in New Kensington to honor his accomplishments. He retired after separating his shoulder at age 27 and became a social worker in New Kensington and New York City before returning to his hometown for good in 1969. Valley High School's stadium is where Thrower enjoyed much success along The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. But Morrison did it on a blast But even though Thrower's stint was short, it certainly was impactful. But racism did rear its head one time from outside the team.
In the Chicago Tribune's story about the Bears-49ers game in 1953, writer George Strickland mentions that Thrower made his NFL debut but said nothing about him becoming the first African-American quarterback in NFL history.
• If you keep getting redirected to this page, please enable cookies. was (Fletcher's) and we all agreed with him.". In 2006, a statue of Thrower was unveiled at his high school to celebrate his accomplishments. everything that quarterbacks do in formations such as the 'T. Robinson was the first of his race to play in the major leagues but others had Thrower died of a heart attack on Feb. 20, 2002â15 years ago Mondayâat the age of 71. His contribution was not so much his performance on the field, but the racial barriers he broke along the way.
8, No. Willie Thrower. if I work hard. believed him," said Will Varner, of New Kensington. " In 2003, an official state marker was dedicated to him in his high school. He was recruited many times with many scholarship offers but once they realized he was of the black race he was denied. At that time, college freshmen were ineligible to play. Willie Thrower (March 22, 1930-February 20, 2002) was a professional American football player. Football League. "Willie was a good person. A black quarterback was unheard of before I hit the pros.". Yet, there were no headlines to that effect. "This is a person who broke a barrierâsomeone who broke down a color barrier. He became the backup quarterback and roommate to future Pro Football Hall of Famer George Blanda. His funeral was held at the Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in New Kensington, where 150 people mourned. Sept. 28, 2006: Thrower statue unveiled at Valley Memorial Stadium. hands," France said. Welcome to the TribLIVE.com California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) landing page. Hensley recovered on the 49ers' 16.
He died of a heart attack in New Kensington on February 20, 2002, at the age of 71. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent. Just stay in school, Don't quit,' " she said of her husband, Willie. As a dual-threat quarterback, Thrower was also an All-WPIAL and all-state first team honors, and he was named captain for an All-American scholastic selection covering the nation east of the Mississippi River.
In 2006, a statue of Thrower was erected near Valley High School in New Kensington to honor his accomplishments. 1954. Click here if you wish to opt out and view the full site. Then there is the matter of Thrower's longevity. He became one of the first National Football League (NFL) African American quarterbacks in the modern era, playing for the Chicago Bears in 1953. You can be anything you want to be. In addition, many colleges opted not to extend Thrower a scholarship when they discovered his ethnicity. If you disable cookies, this site will not work properly. person.".
Fletcher got an invitation to take his team to the South to play a game. Always follow the light.' He went onto play in Canada for three years until a separated shoulder March 20, 1930: Willie Lawrence Thrower born in New Kensington. recounted the Chicago Bears' loss to the San Francisco 49ers the day before, One college that did extend offers to him and eight other members of those Yewcic said Thrower hit on seven out of nine passes for "Coach Fletcher was called and asked to play, I think it was in The annual Willie Thrower Award will honor the memory of the New Kensington native who first gained local notoriety by helping New Kensington win WPIAL Class AAA football titles in 1946 and ’47 after being runner-up to Donora in ’45. Former teammates and family members alike describe Thrower as an unassuming The Bears were enticed by the athletic ability Brian Urlacher displayed at New Mexico and knew he'd be special when they selected him in the 2000 NFL Draft. Even though he got a lot of Kensington High School starts 24-game win streak. In honor of Black History Month, ChicagoBears.com is introducing you to African-American pioneers in Bears history. Thrower was born March 22, 1930 in Kensington, Pennsylvania. would say 'Why, Mary?' life. In that game against the San Francisco He was known to toss a football 70 yards.
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