Abner Haynes, Leon King, and the Fall of the Major College Football Color Barrier

In the annals of American sports history, few moments are as iconic as the breaking of the color barrier in Major League Baseball by Jackie Robinson in 1947. However, just a few years earlier, two African American football players had already shattered a similar barrier in the world of college football.

The Game Changers: Abner Haynes, Leon King, and the Fall of Major College Football's Color Barrier in Texas

by Michael LaBossiere

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2575 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	267 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Abner Haynes and Leon King were both born in the early 1920s, Haynes in Dallas, Texas, and King in Shreveport, Louisiana. Haynes was a running back, while King was a lineman. Both players were standout athletes in high school, but their paths to college football were very different.

Haynes was recruited to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks, a major college football program in the Southwest Conference. However, when he arrived on campus in 1944, he was met with resistance from some of his teammates and coaches. Despite the opposition, Haynes persevered, and in 1947, he became the first African American to play in a major college football game.

King's path to college football was even more difficult. He was originally recruited to play for the TCU Horned Frogs, but he was forced to leave the team after just one season because of pressure from the university's administration. In 1947, he enrolled at Wiley College, a historically black college in Marshall, Texas. That same year, he became the first African American to play in a major college football game for a black college.

The breaking of the color barrier in major college football by Haynes and King was a major milestone in the civil rights movement. It paved the way for other African American athletes to play at the highest level of college football, and it helped to change attitudes about race in America.

Haynes and King both had successful college football careers. Haynes was a two-time All-American and led the Razorbacks to a Southwest Conference championship in 1947. King was a three-time All-American and led the Horned Frogs to a Cotton Bowl victory in 1950.

After college, Haynes and King both played in the National Football League. Haynes played for the Dallas Texans and the Chicago Cardinals, while King played for the Los Angeles Rams. Both players were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

The breaking of the color barrier in major college football by Abner Haynes and Leon King was a watershed moment in the history of sports. It was a victory for civil rights and a testament to the courage and determination of two young men.

Abner Haynes

Abner Haynes was born in Dallas, Texas, on September 13, 1921. He was the youngest of seven children. His father was a minister, and his mother was a homemaker. Haynes grew up in a poor neighborhood, but he was a talented athlete. He played football, basketball, and track in high school, and he was a standout in all three sports.

Haynes was recruited to play football for the Arkansas Razorbacks by head coach John Barnhill. Barnhill was a progressive coach who believed that all players, regardless of race, should be given a chance to play. Haynes arrived on campus in 1944, and he quickly became one of the team's best players. He was a versatile player who could play running back, receiver, and defensive back.

In 1947, Haynes became the first African American to play in a major college football game. He played in the Razorbacks' season opener against Oklahoma A&M, and he rushed for 100 yards and scored two touchdowns. The Razorbacks went on to win the Southwest Conference championship that year, and Haynes was named an All-American.

Haynes continued to play for the Razorbacks until 1950. He was a two-time All-American, and he led the team to another Southwest Conference championship in 1948. After graduating from Arkansas, Haynes was drafted by the Dallas Texans of the National Football League. He played for the Texans for two seasons, and he was a Pro Bowl selection in both years.

In 1952, Haynes was traded to the Chicago Cardinals. He played for the Cardinals for four seasons, and he was a Pro Bowl selection in 1953. Haynes retired from the NFL after the 1955 season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

Leon King

Leon King was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on June 23, 1924. He was the oldest of seven children. His father was a farmer, and his mother was a homemaker. King grew up in a poor neighborhood, but he was a talented athlete. He played football, basketball, and track in high school, and he was a standout in all three sports.

King was recruited to play football for the TCU Horned Frogs by head coach Dutch Meyer. Meyer was a conservative coach who was reluctant to recruit African American players. However, King was so talented that Meyer could not ignore him.

King played for the Horned Frogs for one season, in 1946. He was a starting lineman, and he helped the team to a 9-2 record. However, after the season, King was forced to leave the team because of pressure from the university's administration. The administration was afraid of the backlash that would come from having an African American player on the team.

In 1947, King enrolled at Wiley College, a historically black college in Marshall, Texas. He played for the Wiley Wildcats for two seasons, and he was a two-time All-American. In 1949, King led the Wildcats to a victory over the TCU Horned Frogs, the team that had forced him to leave a few years earlier.

After graduating from Wiley College, King was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League. He played for the Rams for five seasons, and he was a Pro Bowl selection in 1951. King retired from the NFL after the 1954 season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

The Legacy of Abner Haynes and Leon King

Abner Haynes and Leon King were pioneers who paved the way for other African American athletes to play at the highest level of college football. They faced discrimination and prejudice throughout their careers, but they never gave up on their dreams. Their courage and determination helped to change attitudes about race in America.

The legacy of Haynes and King is still felt today. They are an inspiration to young athletes of all races, and their story is a reminder of the power of sports to break down barriers and bring people together.

The Game Changers: Abner Haynes, Leon King, and the Fall of Major College Football's Color Barrier in Texas

by Michael LaBossiere

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2575 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	267 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE