Harold Bradley Sr. facts for kids

Harold "Hal" Willard Bradley Sr. (born September 27, 1905 – died November 30, 1973) was an important American football player. He played for the Chicago Cardinals in 1928. Hal Bradley was special because he was one of only 13 African-American players in the National Football League (NFL) before World War II. He was also just the second African-American lineman in NFL history, following another great player named Duke Slater. Before playing professionally, he played college football at the University of Iowa in 1926. Hal Bradley was also the father of Harold Bradley Jr., who later played in the NFL too!

Early Life and High School Football

Harold "Hal" Bradley was born in Coffeyville, Kansas, in 1905. His father, Arthur Bradley, worked as a barber for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. His mother's name was Mamie.

When Hal was a boy, his family moved to Chicago. He grew up in the West Woodlawn neighborhood on the city's south side. Hal went to Englewood High School. He was a talented football player there and was even named all-state. After finishing high school, Bradley decided to go to the University of Iowa.

College Football at Iowa

In 1926, Bradley joined the football team at the University of Iowa. He followed in the footsteps of Duke Slater, another famous African-American player from Iowa. At that time, very few African-Americans played college football.

Even though Hal Bradley didn't earn a varsity letter at Iowa, his time there was important. The University of Iowa became known as a welcoming place for black athletes. Bradley left the University of Iowa before graduating. He was offered a job as a postal carrier, which he decided to take.

Playing for the Chicago Cardinals

Duke Slater noticed Hal Bradley's football skills when Bradley played at the University of Iowa. In 1928, Slater encouraged his team, the Chicago Cardinals, to give Bradley a chance. Hal Bradley made the team!

He started one game for the Chicago Cardinals in 1928 and played in two games total. This made him the second black lineman in NFL history, right after Slater himself.

Hal Bradley was one of only 13 African-American players in the NFL before World War II. Sadly, a childhood injury affected his career. He had a steel plate in his leg, which contributed to his NFL career ending quickly. Bradley played only two games in the NFL. This was the shortest career of any African-American player before World War II.

Family Life and Legacy

For most of his life, Harold Bradley Sr. worked as a postal carrier and an appliance salesman. In 1927, he married Hattie Ruth Clay, who was from Chicago. They had two children together: a daughter named Pauline and a son named Harold Jr.

Harold Bradley Jr. followed in his father's footsteps. He also played football at the University of Iowa. The Bradleys became the first African-American father-son duo to play for the Iowa Hawkeye football team. Harold Bradley Jr. was even named the University of Iowa's team MVP in 1950.

Harold Bradley Jr. then followed his father into the NFL. This made them the first African-American father-son combination in NFL history! Harold Jr. played four seasons in the NFL from 1954 to 1958.

Hal Bradley Sr. passed away in Chicago in 1973 after having a heart attack. He was buried in Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois.