Don Coleman (offensive tackle) facts for kids

Don Edwin Coleman (May 4, 1928 – January 30, 2017) was a famous American football player. He played football in high school and college at Michigan State University. In 1951, he was chosen as a unanimous All-American. This meant everyone agreed he was one of the best college players.

Don Coleman was the first African-American All-American football player at Michigan State. He was also the first Michigan State player to have his jersey number retired. This means no one else can wear that number. Later, in 1968, he became the first African-American coach at Michigan State. Don Coleman was honored in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975.

Growing Up and Early Life

Don Coleman was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma in 1928. His family moved to Flint, Michigan before he started high school. His father worked hard in different jobs, including shining shoes and working in car factories.

Starting Football Later

Don did not play football until his last year of high school. His mother worried about him getting hurt. Two of his older brothers had sadly passed away when they were young. So, Don played the trumpet in the high school band instead. He also competed in swimming for three years.

Breaking Barriers in Swimming

Once, Don's swim team had a meet against Royal Oak High School. The Royal Oak coach said Don could not swim because he was Black. No Black swimmer had ever been in their pool before. Don's coach, Bob Richardson, stood up for him. He said if Don couldn't swim, the whole Flint Central team would not swim. Because of this, Don Coleman became the first Black swimmer to enter Royal Oak's pool.

High School Football Star

In 1947, during his senior year, Don's mother finally let him play football. Even though it was his first year, he was amazing! He was chosen as an all-state guard. He also helped lead his team, Flint Central, to win the state championship.

Michigan State Football Career

After high school, Don Coleman went to Michigan State University. He played as a tackle for the Michigan State Spartans from 1949 to 1951. His coach was Biggie Munn. Don was quite light for a football player, weighing about 178 pounds in 1949.

A Small Player with Big Impact

Don made up for his size with his speed and strong effort. People who watched him play said he was very quick and played with great energy. He loved playing against bigger players. One sports director said that Don was "packed with more football per pound than any man."

Leading the Way in Integration

Don Coleman was Michigan State's first unanimous All-American football player. He was also their first African-American All-American. Michigan State became known for welcoming Black players. Don was the first of many great African-American stars to play for the Spartans.

In 1996, Don said that he and his teammates "changed the rules, changed the game and changed some attitudes." He believed their actions at Michigan State helped people understand each other better.

Amazing Plays and Awards

In 1950, Don played many positions on the left side of the line. He was named the Midwest lineman of the week. The Michigan coach, Bennie Oosterbaan, said Don was one of the best tackles he had ever seen. He called Don "smart, quick as a cat, and a deadly, fearless tackler."

In his senior year, 1951, Don was named the Most Valuable Player for the undefeated Michigan State team. He also received the Governor of Michigan Award. The governor, Mennen Williams, was impressed by Don's tackles.

Don was also great at special teams. In games against Michigan and Ohio State in 1951, he made key tackles on the opening kickoffs.

All-American Honors

At the end of the 1951 season, Don was chosen as a first-team All-American by 13 different groups. This included the Associated Press and United Press. The Associated Press called him "the catlike tackle."

Don was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the best college lineman. He met coach Paul "Bear" Bryant at the award ceremony. Bryant told Don, "You can play on my team anytime," even though Bryant's team was segregated then.

Don also played in three special post-season games. These included the East-West Shrine Game, the Hula Bowl, and the College All-Star Game. He was proud that football helped him get a college education.

The "Coleman Tackle"

By 1956, Michigan State still used a special play called "The Coleman Tackle." This play used only one lineman on the short side of the field, just like Don played. His speed and ability to block multiple players made this play very effective. One coach said Don "taught us things about playing tackle we never thought could be done."

Life After Football

Don Coleman was chosen by the Chicago Cardinals in the 1952 NFL Draft. However, he felt he was too small for professional football. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army. He served for two years, including one year in Korea.

Choosing Teaching Over Pro Football

After the Army, Don signed with the Cardinals but chose not to play for them. He was traded to the Green Bay Packers, but he decided to return to Flint, Michigan to become a school teacher instead.

In 2007, Don said he had no regrets about not playing pro football. He felt that giving up football allowed him to work with communities. He hoped he had been a positive example, like Jackie Robinson.

Teacher and Dean

Don became a teacher at Flint Central High School, his old school. He was the first African-American teacher there. He later became the Dean of Students.

Coaching and Administration at Michigan State

In 1968, Don joined Duffy Daugherty's coaching staff at Michigan State. He was the first African-American on their coaching team. This happened after African-American athletes at Michigan State asked for more diversity in coaching and staff roles.

Don left coaching in 1969. He felt the game had changed too much. He then took on many different roles at Michigan State. He worked as an assistant dean, a counselor, and a director for minority support programs. He also became a professor emeritus.

Family and Later Life

In 1992, Don Coleman had heart surgery and a heart attack. After that, he worked hard to stay healthy. He was married to his wife, Geraldine, for over 50 years. They had a daughter named Stephanie. Don Coleman passed away on January 30, 2017, at the age of 88.

Honors and Awards

Don Coleman was the first Michigan State football player to have his jersey number retired. On December 14, 1951, Coach Biggie Munn announced that Don's No. 78 would never be used again.

Don received many other awards and honors:

• He was one of the first members of the Flint Hall of Fame.
• In 1970, he was named to the All-Time Michigan State football team. He was also called the best all-time interior lineman in Michigan State history.
• In 1971, he was named to the all-time Hula Bowl team. He was also named the best college lineman in the Hula Bowl's 25-year history.
• In 1975, Don was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He said it was the greatest honor he had ever received.
• In 1992, he was one of the first people inducted into the Michigan State Hall of Fame.
• In 1996, he received the Legends Award from the Michigan Hall of Fame.