13 Facts About Ray Kemp

Raymond Howard Kemp was an American football player and a charter member of the Pittsburgh Pirates football team.

Ray Kemp was the first African-American player in the team's history.

At Duquesne, Kemp was coached by Elmer Layden, a former member of Notre Dame's Four Horsemen.

Ray Kemp became a starter for the Dukes during his sophomore year and by the end of his senior season, he received an honorable mention on some All-American lists.

Ray Kemp competed on the school's track and field team.

Ray Kemp remained at Duquesne that season, and served as the line coach under Layden.

Ray Kemp joined the team and became one of only two black players in the league, the other being Joe Lillard of the Chicago Cardinals.

Ray Kemp played in the Pirates' first three games against, the New York Giants, Chicago Cardinals and Boston Redskins.

Ray Kemp appealed the cut to Art Rooney, but Rooney refused to go over the head of the coach, Jap Douds, who as a player-coach, played Kemp's position.

However a Pittsburgh Courier story on November 14,1933 claimed that Ray Kemp was placed on the reserve list and quit, although fans had rated him highly.

However, the Friday before the Pirates' game in New York, Ray Kemp was asked to leave the hotel housing the Pirates' players.

However Ray Kemp refused, fearing the backlash that would occur to Art Rooney, who had given him a chance at an NFL career.

The Steelers were celebrating their 50th anniversary and Ray Kemp was a member of their first team in 1933.