Lowell Perry facts for kids
Perry as EEOC Commissioner, c. 1975
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| Position: | End Safety |
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| Born: | December 5, 1931 Ypsilanti, Michigan |
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| Died: | January 7, 2001 (aged 69) Southfield, Michigan |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||||||||
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| College: | Michigan | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1953 / Round: 8 / Pick: 90 | ||||||||||||
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Lowell Wesley Perry (born December 5, 1931 – died January 7, 2001) was an amazing American who did many important things. He was a talented American football player and coach. He also worked in government, ran businesses, and was a broadcaster.
Lowell Perry made history several times. He was the first African-American assistant coach in the National Football League (NFL). He was also the first African American to broadcast an NFL game to people all across the country. Later, he became the first African-American plant manager for Chrysler, a big car company. President Gerald Ford chose him to be a Commissioner for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This group works to make sure everyone has a fair chance at jobs. He also led the Michigan Department of Labor for six years.
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Lowell Perry's Early Life
Lowell Perry was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan. His father, Lawrence C. Perry, was a dentist. He had studied at the University of Michigan. Lowell was the youngest of four children. He grew up in Ypsilanti, where his father was a respected leader in their community.
Playing Football at the University of Michigan
Lowell Perry went to the University of Michigan. He studied history there. He played football for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1950 to 1952. Lowell was a "two-way player." This means he played both offense and defense. On offense, he played the end position. On defense, he was a safety. He also returned punts for his team.
After the 1951 season, many experts recognized his talent. He was chosen as a second-team All-American. Some even called him the best defensive back in college football that year. He was also named a top player in the Big Ten conference.
During his three years at Michigan, Perry caught 71 passes. These catches gained 1,261 yards and scored nine touchdowns. His total receiving yards were a Michigan record for ten years! In one game against Indiana in 1951, he caught five passes for 165 yards. This was also a Michigan record for 15 years. He also returned 42 punts, gaining 351 yards for his team.
Time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Military Service
The Pittsburgh Steelers picked Lowell Perry in the 1953 NFL Draft. But he couldn't play right away. He had to serve in the United States Air Force first. He became a second lieutenant. While in the Air Force, he played on a special football team. He was even named the best football player in the military!
In 1956, Perry finally joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his very first play for the Steelers, he ran 93 yards for a touchdown! This happened in a game before the regular season started. In his first six NFL games, he caught 14 passes for 334 yards. He also scored two touchdowns. One of these was a 75-yard touchdown catch. He also returned punts and kickoffs.
Sadly, in his sixth regular season game, Lowell Perry got a serious injury. He broke his pelvis and dislocated his hip. This injury meant he could no longer play professional football. He was in the hospital for 13 weeks.
Even after his injury, the Steelers wanted him to stay. In 1957, they hired him as the team's ends coach. This made him the NFL's first African American coach since the 1920s. He also worked as a scout for the Steelers in 1958. While working for the team, he went to law school at Duquesne University.
A Career in Government, Broadcasting, and Business
Lowell Perry earned his law degree in 1960 from the Detroit College of Law. After law school, he worked for a U.S. District Court Judge. In 1961, he started a job with Chevrolet. He worked in their personnel department. In 1962, he left Chevrolet to work for the National Labor Relations Board. He helped handle unfair labor practice cases there.
In 1963, Perry began a long career with Chrysler. He started as a personnel specialist. In April 1966, he also became a color analyst for CBS Television. He helped broadcast Steelers games. This made him the first African-American to broadcast an NFL game to a national audience.
After his time as a broadcaster, Perry went back to Chrysler. He became a personnel manager in 1970. In 1973, he was chosen to manage Chrysler's Eldon Avenue Axle Plant in Detroit. He was the first African American to be a plant manager at a U.S. car company.
In 1975, President Gerald Ford asked Lowell Perry to be a commissioner for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This group works to prevent unfairness in hiring and jobs. President Ford spoke at Perry's swearing-in ceremony. He said he had watched Lowell play football at the University of Michigan. He praised Perry as an example of someone with great ability and dedication.
Perry served as an EEOC commissioner for one year. He then returned to Chrysler. In 1990, he went back to government work. He became the director of the Michigan Department of Labor. He held this job for six years. In 1996, he became the director of the Office of Urban Programs. He stayed in this role until he retired in 1999.
Family and Passing
Lowell Perry got married in January 1954. He had a daughter and two sons. One of his sons, Scott Perry, later became a basketball executive for the New York Knicks.
Lowell Perry passed away from cancer in January 2001. He was in a hospital in Southfield, Michigan.
See also
- University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
