Race and Football in America: The Life and Legacy of George Taliaferro

by Dawn Knight

As the first African American player to be drafted by the NFL and the first African American to play quarterback, George Taliaferro was a trailblazer whose athletic prowess earned him accolades throughout his football career. Instrumental in leading Indiana University to an undefeated season and undisputed Big Ten championship in 1945, Taliaferro was a star when many major universities had no black players on their rosters and others were stacking black players behind white starters. George Taliaferro would later rack up impressive statistics while playing professionally for the New York Yanks, Dallas Texans, Baltimore Colts, and Philadelphia Eagles. His athletic prowess did little to prevent him from facing segregation and discrimination on a daily basis, but his popularity as an athlete also gave him a platform. Playing professionally gave Taliaferro more opportunity to use football to fight oppression and to interact with other important trailblazers, like Joe Louis, Nat King Cole, Muhammad Ali, and Congressman John Lewis.


Race and Football in America tells Taliaferro's story and profiles the experiences of other athletes of color who were recognized for their athleticism yet oppressed for their skin color, as they fought (and continue to fight) for equal rights and opportunities. Together these stories provide an insightful portrait of race in America.

304 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2019

Reviews

[Bonnie Thrasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I attended Indiana University, graduating in 1987. I never heard of George Taliaferro. How can this be? He was an IU graduate and professor. He was the first African American drafted into the NFL. He was almost solely responsible for desegregating restaurants surrounding campus and the two movie theaters on Kirkwood. He was a three time probowler. His wife was a decorated Bloomington judge. How was this history omitted from my IU experience until 34 years after I graduated? I think the answer is clear. Taliaferro was a black kid from Gary. His work and sacrifice led the way for so many to follow. Colin Kaepernick followed in his footsteps as do so many others to this day. This white Indiana teacher learned so much from this book written by another Indiana teacher. This should be required reading in every Indiana high school. All Hoosiers need to know George Taliaferro.

[Mackenzie Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should know the story of George Taliaferro, and Knight tells it in a beautiful way. I love the connection to social justice through football today.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, well-written account of race progression and current challenges, while celebrating the life of George Taliaferro