Willie Thrower facts for kids

Willie Lee Thrower (born March 22, 1930 – died February 20, 2002) was an important American football player. He was a quarterback who made history. Born near Pittsburgh in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Willie was nicknamed "Mitts." This was because he had large hands and a very strong arm. He could throw a football about 70 yards!

Willie Thrower was part of the amazing 1952 Michigan State Spartans team. They won the national championship that year. In 1953, he became one of the first National Football League (NFL) African American quarterbacks in the modern era. He played for the Chicago Bears.

Willie Thrower's Early Life and High School Years

Willie Thrower started playing football in high school in 1945. He played for New Kensington High, which is now called Valley High School. At first, he played as a halfback. In this old style of football, the halfback would get the ball directly from the center. Then, he could run with it, hand it off, or throw it.

Later, his coach changed the team's strategy. Willie moved to the quarterback position. From his second year to his last year in high school, his team won 24 games in a row! They also won two championships in 1946 and 1947. Willie only lost one game in his entire high school career. He was a very talented player who could both run and throw the ball well. He earned many awards and was even named captain for an All-American team.

Despite his great success, Willie faced unfair treatment because of his race. In 1947, a big high school football game called the Peanut Bowl invited his team. But when the organizers saw a picture of Willie, they took back their invitation. Also, many colleges did not offer him scholarships once they found out he was African American.

Playing College Football at Michigan State

After high school, Willie Thrower chose to play college football for the Michigan State Spartans. Some of his high school teammates also joined him there. He played for Michigan State from 1949 to 1952. He competed for the quarterback spot with other great players.

In 1950, Willie became the first Black quarterback to play in the Big Ten Conference. This was a big step forward. He helped his team win the national championship in 1952. He completed many passes and threw for several touchdowns that season. In one important game against Notre Dame, Willie came in when another player was hurt. He threw a touchdown pass that helped his team win 21–3. In his final college game, he played a big part in a huge 62–13 victory. This win secured the national championship for Michigan State.

Willie Thrower's Professional Career

Playing in the NFL (1953)

Even though Willie Thrower was not chosen in the 1953 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears offered him a contract. He signed for one year and earned $8,500. He became the backup quarterback for George Blanda, who would later become a very famous player.

Willie made his NFL debut on October 18, 1953, against the San Francisco 49ers. The Bears' coach, George Halas, put Willie in the game. Willie helped move the team closer to scoring. This moment was historic because he was the first African American quarterback to play in the modern NFL. He completed 3 out of 8 passes for 27 yards in that game. He played only one more game for the Bears before they released him after the 1953 season.

Willie Thrower's Lasting Legacy

Willie Thrower's impact on football is still remembered today. In 1979, he was added to the Westmoreland County Sports Hall of Fame. In 1981, he joined the AK Valley Hall of Fame. A special state marker was put up at his high school in 2003 to honor him. In 2011, he was inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame.

Willie knew how important his role was. In 2002, he said, "I look at it like this: I was like the Jackie Robinson of football." He was talking about how Jackie Robinson broke barriers in baseball. Willie did the same for Black quarterbacks in football.

His Passing

Willie Thrower passed away from a heart attack on February 20, 2002, in New Kensington. He was 71 years old. Many people attended his funeral to remember him.

In 2006, a statue of Willie Thrower was put up near Valley High School in New Kensington. This statue honors his achievements. Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney and Willie's family were there for the unveiling. Former NFL quarterback Warren Moon also mentioned Willie Thrower in his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech. Moon thanked Willie and others for inspiring him when few African Americans played quarterback in the NFL.

See also

• Racial issues faced by black quarterbacks