Editor’s Note: This article was originally written on Feb. 10, 2020. We are running it again in celebration of Black History Month.
In 1933, linemen Ray Kemp became the first African American to ever wear a Pittsburgh Steelers (then the Pittsburgh Pirates) uniform, appearing in three games as a substitute tackle. At the time, he was one of just two Black players in professional football. There was also Joe Lillard, halfback for the Chicago Cardinals, playing from 1932 to 1933.
The league never officially segregated but it was an owner-wide understanding not to sign Black players.