Ray Kemp facts for kids
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| Born: | April 7, 1907 Cecil, Pennsylvania |
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| Died: | March 26, 2002 (aged 94) Ashtabula, Ohio |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Tackle |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| College | Duquesne |
| High school | Cecil High School |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 1932 | Duquesne (assistant) |
| 1934 | Bluefield |
| 1935–1942, 1944 | Lincoln |
| As player | |
| 1932 | J.P. Rooneys |
| 1932 | Erie Pros |
| 1933 | Pittsburgh Pirates |
Raymond Howard Kemp (born April 7, 1907 – died March 26, 2002) was an important American football player. He was one of the first members of the Pittsburgh Pirates football team, which is now known as the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ray Kemp made history as the first African-American player on the Pittsburgh team. In 1933, he was the only African-American player on his team. He was also one of only two Black players in the entire National Football League (NFL) at that time.
Early Life and College
Ray Kemp grew up in Cecil, Pennsylvania. He finished high school at Cecil High School in 1926. After graduating, he worked in the local coal mines for a year.
Then, he decided to go to Duquesne University. At Duquesne, Ray played football for the Duquesne Dukes. His coach was Elmer Layden, who was a famous player from Notre Dame. Ray became a starting player in his second year. By the time he finished college, he was recognized as one of the best players in the country.
After college, Art Rooney, who would later own the Pittsburgh Pirates, asked Ray to play for his semi-pro team, the J.P. Rooneys. In 1932, Ray played for both the J.P. Rooneys and another semi-pro team called the Erie Pros. He also worked as a coach at Duquesne University that year.
Playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates
In 1933, the J.P. Rooneys team changed and became the Pittsburgh Pirates. This new team joined the NFL. Ray Kemp became a player for the Pirates. He was one of only two Black players in the whole NFL that year. The other player was Joe Lillard of the Chicago Cardinals.
Ray played in the Pirates' first three games. These games were against the New York Giants, Chicago Cardinals, and Boston Redskins. After the game against the Redskins, Ray was removed from the team. He talked to Art Rooney about it, but Rooney said he couldn't go against the coach's decision.
Later, Ray went back to his job in a steel mill. But the Pirates were not winning many games. So, they asked Ray to come back and play. He quickly rejoined the team and played a full game against the New York Giants.
During this time, something unfair happened to Ray. Before a game in New York, he was asked to leave the hotel where the team was staying. This was because of his race. Even though he could have sued for unfair treatment, he chose not to. He didn't want to cause trouble for Art Rooney, who had given him a chance to play in the NFL. That game against the Giants was the last game of Ray's short NFL career.
After Ray Kemp and Joe Lillard left the NFL, there were no Black players in the league until 1946. This shows how important Ray Kemp was as a pioneer in professional football.
After Football
After his playing career, Ray Kemp became a football coach. In 1934, he was hired as the head football coach at Bluefield State College. He also coached at Lincoln University for many years.
One special moment for Ray Kemp happened in 1982. He stood on the sidelines at Three Rivers Stadium during a Steelers game. The Steelers were celebrating their 50th anniversary, and Ray was a member of their very first team from 1933. Ray Kemp was the last surviving player from that original Pittsburgh Pirates team.
Images for kids
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Ray Kemp in 1933, playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
