Black History Spotlight: The Forgotten Firsts

This Black History Month we recognize every trailblazer, every pioneer and those who continued the fight for equality without the spotlight or notoriety. Professional football is no different, where many years after Fritz Pollard broke the games color barrier, a group of men bravely trudged forward and continued his work to integrate the sport.

Award-winning actor Anthony Anderson delivers a moving tribute to his hometown and the iconic neighborhood hosting Super Bowl LVI. [Emmy winner]

Emmanuel Sanders traces the trailblazing journey of Jimmy Raye, a pioneering Black quarterback who led Michigan State to a national championship and inspired a generation of NFL players and coaches. [Emmy winner]

Nate Burleson narrates a powerful look back at a year of social upheaval on and off the field, and wonders how it has changed us all. [Emmy nominee]

Nate Burleson shines a light on the amazing story of Fritz Pollard, one of the NFL's first Black players and its first Black head coach. [Emmy nominee]

On the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and in celebration of Black History Month, NFL Network announces the debut of a new documentary "Keep Pushin: 60 Years of Activism in the NFL," The film traces the evolution of activism on the part of players of color through generations, shining a light on the realities of being a Black athlete in the NFL then and now, as well as showcases how players' growing leadership in activism reflects the broader changes in America over the past six decades.

As we continue Black History Month, the NFL celebrates several employees from our 3 offices in New York, New Jersey and LA who are making an impact in their department and helping to shape the league.

As we continue our celebration of black history month, the NFL looks to honor the many trailblazers that made the game of football what it is today. And who better to help spotlight the NFL's first ever HBCU player, than another HBCU alum, and arguably the greatest player of all time.

In the aftermath of the tragic murder of George Floyd in 2020, entertainer and hip-hop icon Ice Cube wanted to help create meaningful change in the black community. So he and his team got together and made the "Contract With Black America", an initiative that aims to increase the economic equity and partnerships with Black-owned businesses. This Black History Month we take a look at how that program expanded to the National Football League.

The battle for equality in professional football wasn't just waged on the playing field, but in the front office as well. This Black History Month we recognize trailblazers like Claude "Buddy" Young who fought and sacrificed to bring diversity to every level of the sport.

Representation and diversity are of the utmost importance at every level of the National Football League, but one area that still seeks improvement is the agent and management spaces. Aaron and Andre Eanes, the management team behind 3-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce, hope to use their platform to show a younger generation you can impact the game in many different ways.

We spend much of Black History month spotlighting the many trailblazers on the field who made the game of football what it is today, but we forget about those on the sidelines who broke barriers as well. Men like Burl Toler, who was a pioneer for equality in many different avenues of his life. Burl's grandson shares more about his incredible story.

As we continue to celebrate Black History month, we look to spotlight those players continuing the legacy of the incredible icons that shaped our game…and our nation. The work that Giants defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux is doing through his "Dream Foundation" shows that Black history isn't just the past…it's happening now.

The game of football has helped countless players create generational wealth through the sport they love, but it has also produced far too many tragic tales of athletes mismanaging their money. Former NFL Linebacker, and current professor at the University of Pennsylvania Brandon Copeland hopes to put an end to such stories through the impact of financial literacy.

On the final day of Black History Month, NLE Choppa looks back at how Steve McNair changed the Titans, the NFL, and the future for Black quarterbacks

In honor of Black History Month, Kenneth Pimpton is honored as an HBCU Game Changer for his contributions on the field as an All-Conference linebacker and two-time Academic All-American at Howard University and off-the-field as an employee who has worked 19 years for the NFL.

In honor of Black History Month, Hampton University graduate Sashi Brown is honored as an HBCU Game Changer for being just the second Black person to serve as a Team President of an NFL Team, where he proudly works for the Baltimore Ravens and serves as chairman of the team's foundation, The Ravens Foundation, Inc.

In honor of Black History Month, Norfolk State University graduate Maia Chaka is honored as an HBCU Game Changer for their contributions as the first Black female NFL official, the second-ever female to officiate games in the league, and the founder of Make Meaningful Change.

In honor of Black History Month, Jethro Pugh is honored as an HBCU Game Changer for their contributions as a two-time Super Bowl champion Defensive Tackle for the Dallas Cowboys.

In honor of Black History Month, Leslie Frazier is honored as an HBCU Game Changer for their contributions as Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator for the Buffalo Bills.

In honor of Black History Month, Johnny Grier is honored as an HBCU Game Changer for their contributions as the NFL's first Black official and also serving as a field judge in Super Bowl XXII.

In honor of Black History Month, Arthur McAfee is honored as an HBCU Game Changer for their contributions to the NFL and NFLPA CBA along with representing playes in arbitration.

In honor of Black History Month, Brad Holmes is honored as an HBCU Game Changer for their contributions as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Detroit Lions.

In honor of Black History Month, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Bob Hayes is honored as an HBCU Game Changer for winning a Super Bowl and Olympic Gold Medal.

In honor of Black History Month, Artis Twyman is honored as an HBCU Game Changer for their contributions as the Vice President of Communication for the Los Angeles Rams.