{"id":13319,"date":"2024-02-01T18:30:23","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T23:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/?p=13319"},"modified":"2024-02-01T18:43:57","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T23:43:57","slug":"willie-thrower-the-former-spartan-and-first-black-qb-in-the-big-ten","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/?p=13319","title":{"rendered":"Honoring Willie Thrower, former Spartan and first Black Big Ten QB"},"content":{"rendered":"

In honor of Black History Month, we take a look at one of the legends of the sport, Willie Thrower. He was the Big Ten’s first Black QB.<\/h2>\n

In honor of the start of Black History Month, this is a great time to see how Michigan State has been a part of the Black History story. Prior to 1950, the Big Ten had never had a Black quarterback. That all changed when Willie Thrower arrived at Michigan State.<\/p>\n

Born in New Kensington, Penn., Thrower made a name for himself due to his large hands and incredible arm strength. He was known to be able to throw a football over 70 yards which was unheard of at the time. With racism still prevalent, not many schools were willing to offer Thrower a scholarship despite him being an incredible athlete.<\/p>\n

Michigan State became one of the few schools to offer Thrower a scholarship. They had already extended scholarships to some of Thrower’s teammates as well such as William Horrell, Joseph Klein, Renaldo Kozikowski, Vincent Pisano, and Harry and Richard Tamburo.<\/p>\n

\n

In honor of Black History Month, we recognize Willie Thrower.<\/p>\n

Thrower became the first black QB in the BigTen as a part of MSU\u2019s 1952 championship team. He would also go on to become the first black QB in the NFL.<\/p>\n

You can\u2019t tell Black History in sports without Thrower and MSU. pic.twitter.com\/ve5A7KRsyW<\/a><\/p>\n

— Chris\u2019 Crappy Takes (@crappy_takes) February 1, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n