BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : AFRICAN AMERICAN IN PRO-FOOTBALL 1897 TO 1946 :

The National Football League was founded in the 1920's, before that several professional football teams were formed. Without the benefit of an organized league, these teams never the less found competition with other nearby squad and many played very respectable schedules. The first African American Professional Football player on record was Charles W. Follis, he played right half back for the Shelby Athletic Club from 1902 to 1906, Record show that Follis was a paid professional at least by the 1904 football season although he might have been paid as early as 1902. Follis stands out as the first paid African American football player on record.

One of his fellow team mates on the Shelby Athletic Club roster was Branch Rickey, who would go on to own the Brooklyn Dodger and Brewh base ball, he broke the color ban by signing Jackie Robinson.

The second Black Professional player was Charles "Doc" Baker, Baker competed at half back for Akron's the best man, he was able to play both offensive and defensive and seem impervious to injury.