Bob Mann (American football) facts for kids
Mann's 1950 Bowman football card
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| Position: | End | ||||||||
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| Born: | April 8, 1924 New Bern, North Carolina, US |
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| Died: | October 21, 2006 (aged 82) Detroit, Michigan, US |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 172 lb (78 kg) | ||||||||
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| College: | Michigan | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1948 | ||||||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
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Robert "Bob" Mann (born April 8, 1924 – died October 21, 2006) was an American professional football player. He made history in the National Football League (NFL). Bob Mann was born in New Bern, North Carolina. He played college football at Hampton Institute and the University of Michigan.
As an "end" player, he set new records for receiving yards. This was for the Big Ten Conference in 1946 and 1947. After college, Mann joined the Detroit Lions in 1948. He later played for the Green Bay Packers until 1954. He was a pioneer, helping to break the "color barrier" for both teams. This means he was one of the first African American players on these teams.
In 1949, Mann led the NFL in receiving yards. He gained 1,014 yards and averaged 15.4 yards per catch. After his football career, he became a lawyer in Detroit. He was honored in the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1988. In 2016, he was also inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Bob Mann passed away in 2006 at age 82.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Bob Mann was born in New Bern, North Carolina, in 1924. New Bern was a small town with about 10,000 people. During his childhood, there were rules that kept people of different races apart. His father, William Mann, was a doctor. His mother, Clara Mann, was a supervisor for elementary schools. Bob Mann started playing football at West Street High School in New Bern.
College Football Journey
Playing at Hampton Institute
In 1941, Mann started attending Hampton Institute. This school is now known as Hampton University. It is a historically black university. He joined the school's football team. As a second-year student, he scored 45 of Hampton's 99 points. He played as a left end. In one game, he scored three touchdowns against Virginia Union.
Star Player at University of Michigan
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In 1944, Mann transferred to the University of Michigan. His father hoped he would study medicine there. He joined the football team as a walk-on player. He was one of only two African American players on the team that year. Mann served in the Navy from 1944 until the end of World War II. He was stationed in Staten Island and did not go overseas. After his service, he returned to Michigan in 1946.
In 1946, Mann started two games for the Michigan football team. He caught three passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns in one game. In another, he gained 101 yards on five catches, with two touchdowns. Even though he played limited time, his 1946 total of 284 receiving yards set a new Big Ten Conference record. He was also the second-highest scorer on the team.
As a senior in 1947, Mann started seven games. He played on the undefeated Michigan team. He caught 12 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 129 yards. In one game, he caught a 61-yard touchdown pass. In another, he caught three passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
After the 1947 season, Mann played in a college all-star game. He was chosen for the All-Big Nine team. He was also named a second-team All-American. His coach, Fritz Crisler, called him "the greatest pass receiver he has ever coached." In 2016, Mann was honored in the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
Professional Football Career
Breaking Barriers with the Detroit Lions
In April 1948, Bob Mann signed with the Detroit Lions of the NFL. His first contract was for $7,500. He also got a sales job at a company owned by the Lions' president. Mann and another player, Mel Groomes, were the first African Americans to play for the Lions. For many years, no African American players were in the NFL. Even when they started playing, it took time for them to get fair chances.
In his first year (1948), Mann played in all 12 games. He finished seventh in the NFL in receiving yards with 560. He was also fourth in yards per catch. The Lions finished the year with two wins and ten losses.
Before the 1949 season, the Lions played a game in New Orleans. The coach told the team's African American players they could not play due to local rules. On December 11, 1949, Mann had a great game. He caught nine passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. This set a new Lions' record for catches in a single game.
During the 1949 season, Mann led the NFL with 1,014 receiving yards. He also averaged 15.4 yards per catch. He was second in the league with 66 receptions. Mann was the first Lions' player to gain over 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
A Challenging Move to the New York Yanks
In 1950, the Lions asked Mann to take a pay cut. He refused to sign a new contract. His job with the brewing company was also ended. He was then traded to the New York Yanks. Mann felt he was not given fair playing time. He believed it was because of his race. After a pre-season game, he was released by the Yanks.
Mann was without a team for a while. He felt he was being unfairly kept out of professional football. He believed teams were working together not to sign him. The Lions said he was too small to be a good blocker.
Success with the Green Bay Packers
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Mann signed with the Green Bay Packers on November 25, 1950. He became the first known African American to play for the team. He played in three games for the Packers in 1950. He caught six passes for 89 yards and one touchdown.
In the 1951 season, Mann was a star for the Packers. He led the team with 50 catches, 696 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. He was fourth in the NFL in both catches and receiving yards that year. His best game was against the Philadelphia Eagles. He caught three touchdown passes.
In 1952, the Packers drafted another great receiver, Billy Howton. Even with Howton, Mann had a strong year. He had 30 catches for 517 yards and six touchdowns. The Packers improved their record to six wins and six losses.
By 1953, Mann and Howton were a top receiving duo. Mann played in ten games, getting 23 catches for 327 yards and two touchdowns. His best game was a tie against the Chicago Bears. He caught six passes for 101 yards.
In 1954, Mann played in only two games. He had a knee injury during a pre-season game. He was released by the team in October. Mann later filed a lawsuit about his contract. He claimed his release was unfair. The lawsuit was settled in 1957. His knee injury forced him to retire from football.
Overcoming Challenges and His Legacy
When Mann joined the Packers, Green Bay, Wisconsin, had very few African American residents. Despite this, Mann had a good experience with the team. However, racial issues sometimes came up when the team traveled. In one city, a hotel would not let Mann stay because of his race. His teammate, Dick Afflis, left the hotel with him. When a cab driver refused to drive Mann, Afflis stood up for him. Many white teammates welcomed Mann. His coach gave him extra travel privileges. Mann said, "I never had any problems. Everyone treated me well."
Mann had 109 catches for 1,629 yards and 17 touchdowns with the Packers. He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1988. He is remembered as a "pioneer" in football. He broke color barriers with dignity and strength. He showed amazing determination to play professional football.
Life After Football: A Lawyer's Path
After retiring from football, Mann returned to Detroit. He worked in real estate sales for ten years. He was married twice. In 1956, he married Vera, and they had two daughters. In 1966, at age 43, Mann went to law school at night. He graduated in 1970. He worked as a criminal defense lawyer in Detroit for over 30 years. His law office was near the Detroit Lions' stadium. In 2002, Mann was the Lions' honorary captain for their first game at Ford Field. He passed away on October 21, 2006, at 82 years old.
