first african-american player (answered)

[Arlo]

Who was the first African-American to sign an NFL contract? And what was the year?

[Guttpuppy]

I just saw something about this on NFL Films...can't remember.

[thelongestyard]

Wally Triplett was the first African-American to be by an NFL team. Year was 1949. Yes, this was on NFL Films...

[Arlo]

triplett was the first draftee to play on an NFL team, but a different player signed a contract a couple of years earlier without being drafted...

[thelongestyard]

Kenny Washington:March 21, 1946....2nd on May 7,1946, was Woody Strode. Both signed by the LA Rams. Researched on NFL.com. Thought I had it before.<br><br><span class=gensmall>Accepted as answer by Arlo on 05 Nov 2002 02:23 pm EST.</span>

[Arlo]

Got it!

Interesting that Triplett gets mentioned far more often than Washington in this context...