Charles Follis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Charles Follis, a.k.a "The Black Cyclone," (ca. 1879-1910) signed a contract to play football for money on September 16, 1904, becoming the sport's first black professional.

In 1899, Follis helped organize the varsity football team at his high school in Wooster, Ohio. He was elected captain by his white schoolmates, and he led them to an undefeated season.

After graduation, Follis played with an amateur Wooster team before being lured to the Shelby Blues of the American Professional Football Association.

Injury ended Follis' football career a couple of years later. He played professional baseball for a while.

In 1910, Follis died of pneumonia. He was 31.

[edit] References

• Akron Beacon Journal, "Wooster man was first black in pro football", September 16, 2003

[edit] External links

• Ohio Memory, an online scrapbook of Ohio history, has an 1899 team photo and Follis' 1910 obituary.