1950s Marion Motley African American Football Pioneer HOFer Original Photo Image used for his 1953 Bowman #9 Football Card PSA/DNA

In 1946, one year before Jackie Robinson signed with baseball's Brooklyn Dodgers, four players smashed pro football's race barrier. The trailblazers were Marion Motley and Bill Willis, who signed with the Cleveland Browns of the new All-America Football Conference, and Kenny Washington and Woody Strode, who signed with the National Football League's Los Angeles Rams. Injuries ended Washington's career after three seasons, while Strode played just the 1946 season. At 6-1 and 232 pounds, Motley was an imposing figure. The constant threat of him hurtling up the middle kept the defenses honest. Marion was the AAFC's all-time rushing leader and also led the NFL in ground gaining in his initial season in the league in 1950. That year, in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the powerful Motley rushed for 188 yards on just 11 carries for a 17.1 yards-per-carry average.

Offered is a gorgeous 8x10" inch original photo that was the same image used to produce his 1953 Bowman #9 football card. Cleveland Browns team issued photo with their stamping on the back of the photograph. Historic!

*NOTE* football card is not included

Encapsulated as an AUTHENTIC Type III photo by PSA/DNA (although we should note – if this is truly a TYPE III photo, then the 1953 Bowman football card used a TYPE III image of Motely to produce the card)