George Taliaferro was the first black player drafted in the NFL. In the 1949 NFL Draft, Taliaferro was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 13th round (129th overall), breaking a barrier in a league that had long been slow to include Black athletes in its formal selection process. Although he chose to honor a contract with the Los Angeles Dons of the rival All-America Football Conference that year, his selection marked a historic first in NFL history — a moment that helped open doors for the generations of Black athletes who followed. Before the pros, Taliaferro was already a force at Indiana University, starring in multiple positions, earning three All-American honors, and leading the Hoosiers to their only undefeated Big Ten season. In the NFL and the AAFC, he continued to showcase his versatility, playing halfback, quarterback, defensive back, receiver, punter, and returner over his professional career. Beyond the gridiron, Taliaferro dedicated his life to education and community service — earning a master’s degree, supporting youth programs, and advocating for equality off the field. Taliaferro passed away in 2018 at the age of 91, but his impact lives on every time players of all races take the field, every time the draft brings excitement and opportunity, and every Super Bowl weekend reminds us how far the game — and the country — has come

“You can kill a revolutionary, but you can’t kill the revolution.” — Fred Hampton