The first black football player in NFL history was Kenny Washington. Washington, a halfback, was signed by the Los Angeles Rams on March 21, 1946.
Nicknamed “Kingfish,” Washington graduated from UCLA, where he rushed for 1,914 yards during his college football career. His rushing record would remain unbroken at UCLA for 34 years.
When Washington graduated, he could not join the NFL because Personalized Lanyards African-Americans were not allowed at the time. As an alternative, he played for the Hollywood Bears in the Pacific Coast Professional Football League for four years.
In 1946, the Cleveland Rams were moved to Los Angeles, and the team was required to become integrated. Washington and one of his UCLA teammates were signed to the Rams, for whom he played for three years.



