Willie Thrower

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Willie Thrower (March 20, 1930-February 20, 2002) was a professional American football player. Born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, he was one of the first African American players in the National Football League and was the first black player to appear in a pro game as quarterback, for the Chicago Bears in 1953.

In college he quarterbacked Michigan State to a national championship in 1952.

On Oct. 18, 1953, Thrower became the NFL's first African-American quarterback when he appeared in a game for the Chicago Bears. It would be 15 years before another African-American quarterback would take a snap in a pro game; he was cut by the Bears the next year.

Thrower later played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League until a separated shoulder forced him to retire at age 27. After his retirement from football he became a social worker in New York City.

He died of a heart attack in New Kensington February 20, 2002, at the age of 71.

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