This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/cfb by /u/lunchboxthegoat on 2023-08-13 16:26:00.
Counting down to the beginning of the season I’m going to attempt to post one player per day for the last 99 matching the days left to their jersey number. The players will be random. Use this thread to celebrate and talk about some guys.
(Numbers 14 thru 11 will be limited posts. No pictures or links as I’m out of town with no PC access)
Kenny Washington attended UCLA from 1936-1939. He played both football and baseball for the Bruins. He played both tailback and defensive back. As a baseball player he was a more well thought of prospect than teammate Jackie Robinson.
Washington, Robinson, actor and NFL star Woody Strode and Ray Bartlett were the heart and soul of the UCLA squad which was unique considering how few African Americans played collegiate football at the time.
As was typical Washington and the Bruins were the subject of much discrimination and racial prejudice. Despite this, In 1939 Washington became the first Bruin to lead the nation in total offense and the first consensus All American in program history. He led the Bruins to a 0-0 draw against undefeated and defending champ USC. Despite his excellence during to racial discrimination he did not earn first-team honors which excluded him from the East-West Shrine game.
After graduation Bears great George Halas had serious interest in signing Washington but could not convince the league to integrate. So Kenny worked for the LAPD, coached at UCLA and played in the Pacific Coast Professional Football League. He was the leagues highest paid player and earned all league honors from 1940-1945.
Then in 1945 the Cleveland Rams moved to LA and reached agreement to play in the publicly owned LA Memorial Collegium. As a result immense pressure was placed on the team to integrate thanks to William Claire ‘Hailey’ Harding and the LA Tribune. As a result on March 21st 1946 the Rams signed Washington making him the first African American to sign a contract in the NFL. They also signed former teammate Strode just a few weeks later.
He played until 1948 when injuries wore him down. Despite this he led the league in YPC in 1947 and still holds the Rams record for longest run from scrimmage. He retired in 1948 and 80,000 people attended his final game and sent him off with a standing ovation.
UCLA retired his #13. He holds a place at the Court of Honor at the LA Colesium and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1956.