Page 3 - Willie Thrower News Today

The people and moments that influenced the university and nation Celebrated throughout February, Black History Month honors the achievements of Black Americans and recognizes their central role in U.S. history. How and when Black History Month originated is a lesson with ties to Michigan. Also known as African American History Month, the event dates back to February 1926 when Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans designated the secon...

Copied! The Bears will celebrate Black History Month across all official team channels throughout February. Fans are encouraged to follow along and learn more about Bears and Chicago Black history. Feature stories will focus on Bears players past and present who attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Bears players such as Willie Thrower and Eddie Macon who have been Black history pioneers; the involvement of Gale Sayers and Willie Galimore in the Civil Rights M...

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review A statue of Willie Thrower can be seen entering the Valley Viking Stadium at Valley High School. Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review New Kensington’s Willie Thrower was the first Black quarterback to play in the modern NFL. When Michigan State University recruited Thrower, he became the first Black quarterback on a Big Ten team. In 1953, he signed with the Chicago Bears. His statue can be seen entering Valley Viking Stadium at Valley High School.   TribLIV...