27 Facts About George Taliaferro

George Taliaferro was an American professional football player who was the first African American drafted by a National Football League team.

George Taliaferro was the first African-American drafted into the National Football League when he was selected in the 13th round of the 1949 NFL draft.

George Taliaferro struggled with prejudice of the time during his studies at Indiana that ranged from being barred from living in the dormitories to conflicting attitudes from teammates about his treatment on and off the field.

George Taliaferro was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981.

George Taliaferro would run 95 times for 472 yards with five touchdowns on the running side; in passing, he went 45-of-124 for 790 yards with four touchdowns to 14 interceptions; he punted 27 times for 982 yards while being blocked twice.

George Taliaferro made 15 combined kick and punt returns for 366 total yards and one touchdown.

George Taliaferro was named to the 2nd Team of the All-AAFC Team by the league and various press sources.

George Taliaferro rushed 88 times for 411 yards with four touchdowns while catching 21 passes for 299 yards and five touchdowns.

George Taliaferro threw seven passes and completed three for a touchdown and 83 yards while making 34 combined returns on punt and kicks for over 500 yards.

George Taliaferro led the team in rushing and receiving touchdowns.

George Taliaferro punted 76 times for 2,881 yards with one blocked kick.

George Taliaferro returned a league high 27 kicks for 622 yards.

George Taliaferro was named to the Pro Bowl that season alongside teammates Mike McCormack and Brad Ecklund.

George Taliaferro still managed to thrive, rushing 100 times for 419 yards with one touchdown while catching 21 passes for 244 yards and an additional TD.

In recognition of his efforts, George Taliaferro was named to the 1953 Pro Bowl alongside his teammate John Wozniak while having a 2nd Team award from the Associated Press.

George Taliaferro would make appearances at quarterback, mostly during the latter part of a seven-game losing streak to end the season, with most of his passes coming there, and he threw two touchdowns to five interceptions.

On November 22,1953, George Taliaferro became the first black player to start at quarterback in the NFL in the years after the fall of the league's color bar.

George Taliaferro's passing was less than stellar with the Colt quarterback going just 6-for-21 with 2 costly interceptions.

George Taliaferro led the league in fumbles with ten.

George Taliaferro started in nine games that year while running 48 times for 157 yards with no touchdowns.

George Taliaferro caught 14 passes for 122 yards and one touchdown while throwing two passes for one interception.

George Taliaferro moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles the following year.

George Taliaferro made brief appearances in three games and rushed three times for -2 yards while making three catches for 17 yards.

In 1972, George Taliaferro moved to Bloomington with his wife Viola and their four children.

George Taliaferro was appointed as a judge of the Monroe Circuit Court.

George Taliaferro remained a sports fan as well as an avid golfer throughout his days at Indiana University as well his retirement.

George Taliaferro died at age 91 on October 8,2018, in Mason, Ohio, from heart failure having left his longtime home of Bloomington, Indiana, a year earlier.