Willie Thrower was known to throw a football 70 yards.
19 Facts About Willie Thrower
1.
2.
Willie Thrower was a part of the 1952 Michigan State Spartans that won the national championship.
3.
Willie Thrower became the first National Football League African American quarterback in the modern era, playing for the Chicago Bears in 1953.
4.
Willie Thrower played halfback in the single-wing formation for New Kensington High School as a freshman just after the end of World War II, in 1945.
5.
Willie Thrower would remain in East Lansing from 1949 to 1952, competing for playing time at quarterback with All-Americans Al Dorow and Tom Yewcic.
6.
Under head coach Biggie Munn, Willie Thrower became the first black quarterback to play in the Big Ten Conference, in 1950, his first year of varsity eligibility although during the first two years of his varsity career, he had only attempted 14 passes.
7.
Willie Thrower became the backup quarterback and roommate to future Pro Football Hall of Famer George Blanda.
8.
Willie Thrower did not play until October 18,1953, against the San Francisco 49ers.
9.
Willie Thrower moved the team to the 15-yard line of the 49ers, but was denied a chance to score a TD when Halas put Blanda back into the game.
10.
Willie Thrower completed 3 out of 8 passes for 27 yards, and had one interception.
11.
In 1954, Willie Thrower signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Canada but was released before the start of the season.
12.
Willie Thrower then signed with the Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers but a shoulder injury ended his career.
13.
Willie Thrower was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army and served during the Korean War.
14.
Willie Thrower returned to New Kensington from Canada and married a childhood neighbor.
15.
Willie Thrower died of a heart attack in New Kensington on February 20,2002, at the age of 71.
16.
Willie Thrower's funeral was held at the Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in New Kensington, where 150 people mourned.
17.
In 1979, Willie Thrower was elected to the Westmoreland County Sports Hall of Fame.
18.
In 2006, a statue of Willie Thrower was erected near Valley High School in New Kensington to honor his accomplishments.
19.
Willie Thrower was mentioned by former NFL quarterback Warren Moon in his Pro Football Hall of Fame acceptance speech.