Download to read offline
Uploaded byIndependent Contractor
FPAFSalute2013
The Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation aims to increase opportunities for minorities in the NFL. Fritz Pollard was the first African American NFL player and coach who broke many barriers. The Foundation hosts awards ceremonies honoring minority coaches and executives in college football and the NFL who have achieved excellence despite facing racism.
FPAFSalute2013
- 3. The Fritz PollardAlliance Foundation About Fritz Pollard Fritz Pollard grew up in Rogers Park, Illinois, a largely white suburb in Chicago. The seventh of eight children, young Fritz experienced racism first hand and learned from his family how to pick his battles and subdue his emotions in order to achieve his goals in a predominantly white world. A three-sport athlete at Lane Tech High, Pollard had notions of attending Darmouth to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Leslie. But fate intervened. During a stopover in Providence in January 1913, Fritz had his virst view of the Van Winkle Gates sparkling sun; his career at Brown had begun. During the 1915 and 1916 Brown football seasons, Pollard achieved legendary status, compiling "firsts" as frequently as he gained first downs. The first Black player to lead his team to the first Rose Bowl (1916), Fritz was also named to Walter Camp’s All America Team, and was the first African American in Camp’s backfield. Nicknamed “the human torpedo,” Pollard almost single-handedly defeated Yale and Harvard (Brown’s first win over the Crimson) in 1916. The Bruins were the first college team to defeat both Ivy League powerhouses in the same season. For his exploits at Brown, Pollard was elected to the National College Football Hall of Fame in 1954 – the first African-American ever chosen. 1
- 4. About Fritz Pollard Asa professional player, Pollard continued to garner “firsts” in spite of the overt racism of the period. He was among the first African- Americans in the APFL and NFL and, along with Jim Thorpe, was the major gate attraction. A Black man playing football in a predominantly white environment was a novelty in the 1920s. Fritz Pollard was the first African-American to play on a championship team (1920), as well as the first Black quarterback (1923) and coach (1921). Pollard’s efforts on behalf of African-American athletes were Herculean. He organized Black teams such as the Chicago Black Hawks and the Brown Bombers in order to promote integrated competition in professional football. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2005. A true Renaissance man, Pollard broke barriers of every sort – in business and the entertainment industry, as well as in sports. At various times, he ran a newspaper, an investment advisory firm, and a coal company. His outgoing, engaging personality smoothed many a pathway in the business and professional worlds. 2
- 5. The Fritz PollardAlliance Foundation The Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation aims to increase access and opportunity for minorities interested in coaching, front office and scouting positions in the National Football League. The Alliance was formed at the 2003 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, and the Alliance estimates that now, well over 75 percent of the coaches and executives of color in the NFL are members. John Wooten, former Pro-Bowl offensive guard for Cleveland and Washington from 1958-68 serves as the Chairman for the Alliance. Kellen Winslow, legendary former San Diego Chargers tight end, was the first Executive Director. The present Executive Director of the Alliance is New York Giants’ legend, Harry Carson. Kellen Winslow was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995 and Harry Carson was inducted in 2006. Harry, who will co-host the event along with John Wooten, is an inspirational role model to youth as well as the business community. Cyrus Mehri, who has served as lead counsel in some of the largest and most sweeping race discrimination cases in history, serves as counsel for the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation. On September 30, 2002, the late Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. and Mr. Mehri issued a ground-breaking report – Black Coaches in the National Football League: Superior Performance, Inferior Opportunities. The Alliance members include minority coaches, front office executives and scouting personnel. 3
- 6. FRITZ POLLARD ALLIANCEFOUNDATION OFFICERS John Wooten Co-Founder & Chairman Cyrus Mehri Co-Founder & Counsel Harry Carson Executive Director Jeremi Duru Counsel Craig Richardson Marketing Kristal Wortham Director of Administration 4
- 7. JOHNNIE L. COCHRAN,JR. SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARD The Excellence Award is given to persons who display outstanding performance through the year on the field and in front offices in the National Football League. The award is named after Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., one of our co-founders who passed away in 2005. Johnnie received countless awards for his service to the community and his unparalleled skill as a trial lawyer. On Thursday, February 2, 2006, the Fritz Pollard Alliance hosted the first Annual Salute to Excellence Awards at SuperBowl XL in Detroit, Michigan. The Honorees were Chicago Bears’ Head Coach Lovie Smith, Cincinnati Bengals’ Head Coach Marvin Lewis and Indianapolis Colts’ Head Coach Tony Dungy. 5
- 8. The Fritz PollardAlliance Foundation PROGRAM Welcome Kristal Wortham Director of Administration FPA Foundation Mistress of Ceremonies Deneen Tyler Actress Invocation Bishop Robert Taylor Full Gospel Baptist Church Ray Anderson Executive Vice President and Football Operations Carl Johnson Vice-President of Officiating Carl Johnson Vice-President of Officiating Introduction of Game Day Officials Selection from Sci Academy Singers of New Orleans, LA We will interrupt our program for remarks by Commissioner Roger Goodell and Ambassador Dan Rooney, Chairman of NFL Diversity Committee 6
- 9. The Fritz PollardAlliance Foundation PROGRAM (cont’d) Recognition Remarks Harry Carson Executive Director FPA Foundation Craig Richardson Marketing FPA Foundation Cyrus Mehri Co-Founder and Counsel FPA Foundation G. Max Edison Sports Editor Houston Defender Presentation of High School Student Athletes Dr. Bernard Franklin EVP of NCAA Membership Student-Athlete and Chief Inclusion Officer Presentation of NCAA Head Coaches’ Awards 7
- 10. The Fritz PollardAlliance Foundation PROGRAM (cont’d) RECIPIENTS OF NCAA HEAD COACHES’ AWARDS Dino Babers, Eastern Illinois University Monte Coleman, University of Arkansas (Pine Bluff) Isaac Collins, Widener University Rick Comegy, Jackson State University James Franklin, Vanderbilt University Darrell Hazell, Kent State University (Head Coach at Purdue University) Brian Jenkins, Bethune-Cookman University Connell Maynor, Winston-Salem State University Ruffin McNeill, East Carolina University Ken Niumatalolo, U.S. Naval Academy Donald Pittman, Fort Valley State University Reginald Ruffin, Miles College David Shaw, Stanford University Charlie Strong, University of Louisville Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M University (College Station) Willie Taggart, Western Kentucky University (Head Coach at University of Southern Florida) Sherman Wood, Salisbury University 8
- 11. The Fritz PollardAlliance Foundation Presentation of NFL Head Coaches & Executives’ Awards Dr. Walter Kimbrough President Dillard University Ozzie Newsome Executive Vice President and General Manager Baltimore Ravens Victor Richard President New Orleans Recreation Reggie Roberts Vice President of Football Communications Atlanta Falcons Michael Andry CEO Excelth Rick Smith General Manager and Executive Vice President Houston Texans Dr. Corey J. Hebert Black Health TV Kevin Warren Vice President of Operations and Legal Counsel Minnesota Vikings Ernest Polk General Manager New Breed Companies Tony Wyllie Senior Vice President Communications Washington Redskins James Anderson President Pi Pi Lambda Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Leslie Frazier Head Coach Minnesota Vikings Bishop Robert Taylor Full Gospel Baptist Church Marvin Lewis Head Coach Cincinnati Bengals 9
- 12. The Fritz PollardAlliance Foundation PROGRAM (cont’d) Jeremi Duru Counsel FPA Foundation Selection from Sci Academy Singers of New Orleans, LA Closing Remarks John Wooten Co-Founder & Chairman FPA Foundation
- 13. The Fritz PollardAlliance Foundation We, at the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation, wish to thank our sponsors for their support in making this event possible. First Choice Travel & Tours (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Rainbow Pediatrics (Phoenix, AZ) Global Entertainment (Louisville, KY) GCG and SSI 11
- 14. The Fritz PollardAlliance Foundation ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation wishes to acknowledge those who were instrumental in making this event possible. The Law Firm of Mehri & Skalet, PLLC www.findjustice.com Michael Crayton & Tim Forbes NFL Special Events Department Melissa Berg Carly Slivinski Ernest Polk General Manager New Breed Companies Wooten Printing, Inc. Wallace Faggett Photography Full Motion Productions A Gigantic FPAF Shout Out to The National Football League Arizona Cardinals Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New York Giants New York Jets Oakland Raiders Pittsburgh Steelers San Diego Chargers San Francisco 49ers St. Louis Rams Washington Redskins 12
- 15.
- 16. FPA Foundation isa 501 (c)(3) Organization For more information, please contact: Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation Attn: Kristal Wortham 1250 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20036 Telephone: (202) 822-5100 Fax: (202) 822-4997 Website: www.fritzpollard.org Email: kwortham@findjustice.com