June Carter Cash
Musical Monikers
Madonna
Justin Bieber
My Ghost Story
I Survived
Babe Ruth
Johnny Cash
Georgia O'Keefe
I Survived
1 photo
Quick Facts
- NAME: Willie Thrower
- OCCUPATION: Football Player
- BIRTH DATE: March 22, 1930
- DEATH DATE: February 20, 2002
- EDUCATION: Michigan State University
- PLACE OF BIRTH: New Kensington, Pennsylvania
- PLACE OF DEATH: New Kensington, Pennsylvania
Best Known For
Willie Thrower was a pioneer for African Americans in football, the first to play quarterback professionally.
Quiz
Think you know about Biography?
Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.
Play NowWillie Thrower. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 01:52, May 21, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/willie-thrower-213033.
Willie Thrower. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/willie-thrower-213033 [Accessed 21 May 2013].
"Willie Thrower." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 21 2013, 01:52 http://www.biography.com/people/willie-thrower-213033.
"Willie Thrower," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/willie-thrower-213033 [accessed May 21, 2013].
"Willie Thrower," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/willie-thrower-213033 (accessed May 21, 2013).
Willie Thrower [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 21] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/willie-thrower-213033.
Willie Thrower, http://www.biography.com/people/willie-thrower-213033 (last visited May 21, 2013).
Willie Thrower. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/willie-thrower-213033. Accessed May 21, 2013.
Synopsis
Born in Pennsylvania in 1930, Willie Thrower made history in 1953, when he relieved Bears QB George Blanda during a game against the San Francisco 49ers. Thrower's professional career, however, was short-lived. He played another game that season, but was not re-signed by the team. Thrower went to Canada to play for the Blue Bombers in Manitoba for three seasons and finished his career playing semi-professionally in Toronto.
Early Career
Born on March 22, 1930, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Willie Thrower was the first African-American quarterback in professional football. Sometimes referred to as "the Jackie Robinson of the football," Thrower started out as a strong high school player and went to have an impressive college athletic career. As a college player, he broke new ground, becoming the first African-American quarterback to play in the Big Ten Conference. Thrower helped his school, Michigan State University, win the national championship in 1952.
With such an impressive college football career, it should have been easy for Thrower to go professional. Professional football, however, at this time was still fairly segregated with little opportunity for African-American players. The few black players who were in the professional leagues largely held defensive positions. Though he wasn't drafted, he did receive a contract from the Chicago Bears as a back-up quarterback.
Pro Football Career
Thrower made history in October 1953, when he relieved Bears quarterback George Blanda during a game against the San Francisco 49ers. During that fateful game, he completed three out of eight passes for a total of 27 yards. Thrower's professional career, however, was short-lived. He played another game that season, but was not re-signed by the team. Thrower went to Canada to play for the Blue Bombers in Manitoba for three seasons. He finished his career playing semi-professionally in Toronto, but retired after suffering a shoulder injury.
Later Years
After his football fame faded, Thrower took his life in a different direction. He became a social worker in New York City for a while and later returned to his hometown where he owned two taverns.
Willie Thrower died on February 20, 2002, in his hometown of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. He was survived by Mary, his wife, and their three sons. News reports of his death reminded the world of his impressive accomplishments and how he helped inspire other African Americans to play football.
© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.
profile name: Willie Thrower profile occupation:
Your Connections
Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.
Profile Connections
Included In These Groups
-
African-American Firsts: Athletes
View groupWho was the first African-American boxing champ? How about World Cycling champ? Who was the first African-American to win an Olympic gold medal? What year did Jackie Robinson break baseball's color barrier? Who was Althea Gibson and what first did she achieve? Detail our collection of pioneering African-American athletes for the answers to these and many more questions, and explore our African-American Firsts: Athletes photos gallery.
African-American Firsts: Athletes 16 people in this group
-
Famous Arians 534 people in this group
-
Famous Black Athletes
View groupThey've sprinted, served, batted, slam-dunked and TKO'd their way into sports history. Sprinter Jesse Owens's Olympic triumphs put Hitler to shame. Basketball star Michael Jordan taught kids that they could fly. Gymnast Gabby Douglas showed that champions can come in pint-size packages, and Tiger Woods brought the game of golf to another level. Explore biographies of famous black athletes who broke records and barriers and, ultimately, captured our imaginations.
Famous Black Athletes 147 people in this group
