Fritz Pollard Hall Of Fame NFL

Fritz Pollard was a true pioneer of professional football, breaking racial barriers and setting the foundation for generations to come. A standout running back from Brown University, Pollard became one of the first two African American players in the NFL in 1920 and the league’s first Black head coach in 1921 with the Akron Pros.

Despite facing relentless racism and segregation, he displayed unmatched determination, intelligence, and athletic skill. On the field, Pollard’s speed and elusiveness made him one of the early stars of professional football, leading the Akron Pros to the first NFL Championship in 1920. Off the field, he championed equality, creating opportunities for Black players and coaches in an era of widespread exclusion.

His impact extended beyond football — he was a trailblazer for diversity and inclusion in American sports. Fritz Pollard was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005, honoring his courage, leadership, and groundbreaking contributions to the game.

Pollard's Awards and Honors

• First-team All-Pro (1920)
• Consensus All-American (1916)
• 1920 NFL Champion (Akron Pros)
• College Football Hall of Fame inductee (1954)
• Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2005)

NFL Records

• First African American head coach in NFL history
• One of the first two Black NFL players (1920)
• Trailblazer for racial integration in professional sports
• Established teams and leagues for Black athletes

NFL Teams

As Player-
Akron Pros (1920–1921)
Milwaukee Badgers (1922)
Hammond Pros (1923, 1925)
Providence Steam Roller (1925)
Akron Indians (1925–1926)
As Coach-
Lincoln (PA) (1918–1920)
Akron Pros (1921)
Hammond Pros (1925)
Chicago Black Hawks (1928)