There have been numerous black field goal kickers in the NFL since the league’s inception in 1920. The first black kicker was Fred “Curly” Morrison of the Los Angeles Buccaneers in 1947. Since then, there have been a number of African American kickers, including Mike Cofer, Dom McKenzie, Norm Johnson, Jason Elam, Nick Novak, Rob Bironas, and current Minnesota Viking Dan Bailey.
Some, like Cofer and Elam, have even been named to Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams. Altogether, there have been at least 26 black field goal kickers in the NFL.
Have there ever been any black kickers in the NFL?
Yes, there have been black kickers in the NFL. The first African-American kicker was Harold Carmichael in 1969. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles and would go on to be named All-Pro and earn four Pro Bowl selections while playing with the Eagles, Saints and Cowboys.
Another notable African-American kicker was Donald Igwebuike who was the first Nigerian-born kicker in the NFL. He played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings in the 1980s and was elected to three Pro Bowls.
More recently, there was Josh Cribbs, who played with the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, and Rashad Ross, who played with the Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins and Chicago Bears. In addition, there are numerous black kickers at the collegiate level, giving hope that more could continue to make it to the NFL in the future.
Who was the first African American NFL kicker?
The first African American NFL kicker was Gene ‘Parky’ Perkins. He was born in Los Angeles, California on November 17, 1941. He attended the University of Arizona and was a part of their successful 1962 football team.
After college, he was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the eighth round of the 1966 NFL draft. He played for the Colts for two seasons, before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1968. He then spent the majority of his NFL career with the 49ers and was known as one of the strongest kickers in the league, earning Pro Bowl honors in 1975.
Perkins was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993, becoming the first African American placekicker to be inducted. He is remembered for his skill, loyalty and commitment to the game.
Who was the last black kicker?
The last black kicker in the NFL was Josh Cribbs. He was a member of the Cleveland Browns from 2005 to 2012, and he also played with the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts. During his time in the NFL, Cribbs made 164 field goals and 254 PATs, totaling 827 points.
He was also a Pro Bowl return specialist three times, and he holds the record for most all-purpose yards in a season. Cribbs retired in 2018 and is now running his own foundation and clothing line.
Why are there so few black punters in the NFL?
The lack of black punters in the NFL is a multi-faceted issue that has been often discussed amongst the sports analytics community. At first glance, it appears to be an issue of under-recruitment at the college and high school levels, with NCAA punting opportunities displaying similar racial inequality.
More historically, offensive players such as Quarterbacks, Running Backs, and Wide Receivers were the only African American players seen on the field, and Special Teams were often seen as “throw away” or less valued positions.
The mentalities of front office personnel and coaches have added to an already existing viewpoint that African American players would rather have the recognition of playing on offense and have thus not supported aspiring punters on the same level as other positions.
At the college level, white coaches have likewise not recruited black punting prospects, often seeking pitchers of similar background and physique as current NFL punters and overlooking the considerable athletic talent of African Americans.
Outside of the recruitment issue, there are other steps in the pipeline preventing African American punters from making it onto NFL rosters. Black punters often do not get the same chances to prove themselves and make plays that white kickers do.
They may not get the chance to punt in coveted post-season all-star games, or the sameinvites to NFL training camps. Furthermore, coaches and media coverage in the NFL tend to favor white kickers and can overlook or undervalue African Americans.
All of these racial disparities contribute to the lack of black punters in the NFL. It has become increasingly important to recognize these issues and raise awareness in order to increase the amount of African American talent we see in the NFL.
What percent of kickers in the NFL are white?
According to a study conducted by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at the University of Central Florida, nearly 80% of kickers in the NFL are white. The study further found that of all NFL position players in the 2019 season, 95% were white and 5% were of color.
Furthermore, the percentage of white NFL kickers on active rosters has been at or near 80% since the 2003 season.
Who were the first two African American players allowed to play in the NFL?
The first two African American players to be allowed to play in the NFL were Kenny Washington and Woody Strode. Kenneth Washington, born in 1918, played college football at UCLA where he was a standout player.
He joined the Los Angeles Rams in the fall of 1946, becoming the first African American to play in the NFL. While Washington was the first to break the color barrier, the Rams had to wait until 1962 to hire another African American player.
This player was Woody Strode, a former UCLA athlete who helped the Rams win the 1951 NFL Championship game. After an unsuccessful trial with the Rams, Strode signed with the Denver Broncos where he played for several years.
His role in helping pave the way for other African American players to join the NFL was invaluable.
Who was the first NFL quarterback that was black?
The first Black quarterback to ever play in the NFL was Fritz Pollard, who was also the first African American to coach a team in the league as well. He began his NFL career in 1921 as a running back and eventually transitioned to quarterback in 1923.
Although he had tremendous success as a player, Fritz was forced to retire in 1926 due to racist attitudes that were prevalent in the early days of the NFL. While he was not the first African American to ever play professional football, he was the first Black quarterback to make an impact in the NFL.
After his playing career ended, Pollard became a trailblazer in various aspects of the game. On top of being the first Black coach in the NFL, he also founded the first predominantly Black professional football team and was also the first African American to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Despite the fact that he faced immense discrimination during his playing days, Fritz Pollard is still remembered for the groundbreaking contributions he made to the NFL.
Has a black QB ever won a Super Bowl?
Yes, a black quarterback has won a Super Bowl. Super Bowl LIV marked the eighth time a black quarterback has won the Super Bowl. The first was Doug Williams with the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII in 1988.
Since then, other successful black quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl include Steve McNair with the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV, Russell Wilson with the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII, Cam Newton with the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIV, and most recently, Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.
Each of these quarterbacks have shown that success at the quarterback position does not discriminate against race.
What NFL team is owned by a black man?
The Washington Football Team is the only NFL team owned by a black man. The team is owned by Dan Snyder, who purchased the team in 1999. Snyder is a Washington-area native and avid football fan who developed a passion for the game at a young age.
The Washington Football Team is one of the most successful franchises in the NFL, and Snyder has overseen a period of great success. Under his guidance, the team has reached multiple conference championships, been to multiple Super Bowls, and won the Super Bowl in 1992.
Snyder is deeply involved in the organization and frequently interacts with players, coaches and staff, making him one of the most visible owners in the NFL. He has also been a major supporter of various causes in the Washington, D.
C. area, including his annual holiday program, Snyder’s Turkey Bowl, which provides full Thanksgiving meals for needy families.
Which NFL team has a black punter?
The Philadelphia Eagles currently have the only black punter in the NFL. His name is Cameron Johnston, and he is from Australia. He was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2017 season.
Johnston was a major contributor to the Eagles’ 2018 Super Bowl run and is still a regular contributor to the team’s special teams units. Johnston has been a consistent force for the Eagles, averaging nearly 43.
5 yards per punt across his four-year career and posting a long of 71 yards. Johnston is a powerful and accurate punter who has been vital in pinning opponents with great field position.
Are there any non white kickers in the NFL?
Yes, there are non-white kickers currently playing in the NFL. The first non-white kicker to play in the NFL was Roberto Aguayo, who was drafted in 2016 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since then several other non-white kickers have donned an NFL uniform, including Cairo Santos, Nick Folk, Aldrick Rosas, Ka’imi Fairbairn, Matt Prater, Randy Bullock, and Harrison Butker.
All but Fairbairn have already made a Pro Bowl appearance, with Santos and Bullock also earning All Pro honors. As the influence of players from around the world continues to expand in the NFL, it stands to reason the number of non-white kickers in the league will only continue to grow.