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Macon broke color barrier with Bears

In honor of Black History Month, ChicagoBears.com is introducing you to African-American pioneers in Bears history.

A running back and return specialist, Eddie Macon played two seasons with the Bears after being selected in the second round of the 1952 NFL Draft out of Pacific.

Macon's brief stint with the Monsters of the Midway was fairly non-descript except for one significant distinction: He was the first African-American player in Bears history.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Macon back in November 2011 the night before a game in Oakland. A Bay Area resident, I invited him to the Bears hotel to meet then-coach Lovie Smith and several players, including Charles Tillman and Devin Hester.