Minnesota Vikings

A look at a few black pioneers in the NFL

By Mark Craig

September 15, 2018 at 9:09PM

NFL PIONEERS

The NFL has had its share of black pioneers over the course of its 99 seasons. Here are some of the firsts:

Quarterback: Willie Thrower, Bears, 1953

Coach: Fritz Pollard, 1921 Akron Pros

Coach, modern era: Art Shell, 1989 Los Angeles Raiders

Hall of Famer: Defensive back Emlen Tunnell, 1967

Quarterback to start and win the Super Bowl: Doug Williams, Redskins, Super Bowl XXII

Coach in a Super Bowl: Lovie Smith, Bears, and Tony Dungy, Colts, Super Bowl XLI

Coach to win a Super Bowl (above): Dungy, Super Bowl XLI

General Manager: Ozzie Newsome, Ravens, 2002-current

Chief Operating Officer: Kevin Warren, Vikings, 2015-current

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Mark Craig

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Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).

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