Ray Kemp

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Ray Kemp
Pittsburgh Pirates

Raymond Howard Kemp (April 7, 1907 – March 26, 2002) was an

African-American player in the team's history. In fact in 1933, he was the only African-American on the team and only one of two black players in the entire National Football League
(NFL).

Early life

Kemp graduated from

coal mines around Cecil, Pennsylvania for one year before enrolling at Duquesne University.[1]

Duquesne Dukes

At Duquesne, Kemp was coached by

All-American lists. After graduation, Future Pirates owner, Art Rooney told Kemp that he would like for him to play for his "J.P. Rooney semi-pro team". In 1932 he did play for both the J.P. Rooneys and the semi-pro Erie Pros in his spare time. He remained at Duquesne that season, and served as the line coach under Layden.[2]

Pittsburgh Pirates

The following year, the J.P. Rooneys were reorganized and became the NFL's Pittsburgh Pirates. Kemp joined the team and became one of only two black players in the league, the other being

Jap Douds, who as a player-coach, also played Kemp's position. However a Pittsburgh Courier story on November 14, 1933 claimed that Kemp was placed on the reserve list and quit, although fans had rated him highly. Art Rooney stated that he was limited to having only 22 players on the roster and preferred to keep the more experienced players.[1]

Kemp then went back to his job in the

Bluefield State College.[1]

With the exits of Kemp and Lillard, the NFL would not have any black players until 1946.[2]

Post career

One of the highlights of Ray Kemp's post-football career came when he stood on the Steelers' sideline before a game at Three Rivers Stadium in 1982. The Steelers were celebrating their 50th anniversary and Kemp was a member of their first team in 1933. Kemp was the last surviving member of the Pirates/Steelers inaugural roster of 1933, having outlived teammate John Letsinger by slightly less than two months.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Carroll, Bob (1983). "Ray kemp Blazed an Important Trail" (PDF). Coffin Corner. 5 (12). Professional Football Researchers Association: 1–8. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 27, 2010.
  2. ^ a b .Gems, Gerald R. (1988). "Shooting Stars" (PDF). Coffin Corner. 10 (Annual). Professional Football Researchers Association: 5–7. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 5, 2012.
  3. ^ Bouchette, Ed (March 29, 2002). "Obituaries: Ray Kemp". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. B-7.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ray_Kemp&oldid=1196091752"