New Rochelle in the NFL

New Rochelle in the NFL. . , Fritz Pollard , Frederick Douglass "Fritz" Pollard was the first African American head coach in the National Football league and he and Bobby Marshall were the first two African American players in the NFL in 1920. Sportswriter Walter Camp ranked Pollard as "one of the greatest runners these eyes have ever seen.", Pollard played with the Akron Pros, the team he would lead to the NFL championship in 1920. In 1921, he became the co-head coach of the Akron Pros while still maintaining his roster position as running back. He also served as head coach for the Hammond Pros., He was the first black player at Brown University, the first black player to play the Rose Bowl and the first black running back to be named to the Walter Camp All-America team. In 1954, Pollard was the first African-American elected to the National College Football Hall of Fame., In 2005, he received a long-overdue honor with his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His name lies on through the Firtz Pollard Alliance that was founded in 2003 to help promote the hiring of minorities in the NFL. Pollard was born in Chicago on January 27, 1894. He retired to New Rochelle in 1961, living here until 1983 when he moved to Silver Spring, MD where he died on May 11, 1986., Kyle Rote , No. 44 Kyle Rote played for the New York Giants from 1951 to 1961. When he retired he had become the Giants' career leader in pass receptions (300), receiving yardage (4,805), and touchdown receptions (48). He was second highest in total touchdowns (56) and fifth-leading scorer (312 points). His average gain per catch was 15.9 yards. In all, Rote played in four world championship games. He was the captain of the New York Giants for eight years., Rote spearheaded the movement that became the NFL Players Association fighting for equal opportunities for all players. HE became its first elected president and also acted as the Giants team representative. Following he playing career in 1961, Rote served as the Giants backfield coach for two years and in both those years in New York captured the NFL's Eastern Division championship., In the '60s and early '70s, he enjoyed a second career as a sportscaster working at NBC and WNBS New York on radio and television. Rote authored the books, Pro Football for the Fans and The Language of Pro Football, and co-wrote a Giants' fight song., William Kyle Rote, Sr. was born in San Antonio. Texas on October 27, 1928 and died August 15, 2002. He lived with his wife and family at 36 Livingston Road., Fran Tarkenton , No. 10 Fran Tarkenton played in the NFL for 18 seasons and spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota Vikings. Tarkenton's tenure with the Vikings spanned 14 non-consecutive seasons, playing with the team for six seasons from 1961 to 1966, and then for seven seasons from 1972 to 1978. In between his years in Minnesota, Tarkenton was a member of the New York Giants for four seasons. At the time of his retirement, Tarkenton owned every major quarterback record. The Vikings retired his No 10 jersey and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986., In addition to his football career, Tarkenton served as a commentator on Monday Night Football and a co-host of That's Incredible!. He was a pioneer in computer software and founder of Tarkenton Software, a program generator company. He authored numerous books including a 1967 autobiography No Time for Losing, a whodunit novel titled Murder at the Super Bowl and several self-help, motivational books., Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton was born on February 3, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia. When he was traded to the New York Giants in 1967 he moved to New Rochelle. He lived at 4 Drisbrow Lane, 15 minutes away from head coach Allie Sherman's house in Scarsdale., Matt Snell , No. 41 Matt Snell was a running back for the New York Jets from 1964 to 1972. In his rookie year, Snell rushed for a team-record 180 yards against the Houston Oilers on his way to a 945-yard season and AFL Rookie of the Year honors. Snell went on to become an AFL Eastern Division All-STar in 1964 and 1966, and the Sporting News All-AFL fullback in 1969. Snell's defining moment came in Super Bowl III when the AFL champion Jets played the heavily flavored NFL champion Baltimore Colts. Although slowed by knee injuries, Snell was a key player in the Jets' ball-control offense during the 16-7 upset victory. He carried the ball 30 times for a then-Super Bowl record of 121 yards, and in the second quarter scored the Jets' only touchdown. He also helped set up a trio of field goals that finally put the game away for the Jets securing the AFL's first Super Bowl win. In 1973, Snell appeared in the first Miller Lite commercial featuring middle-aged sports stars that became a status symbol for retired athletes., A long time New Rochelle resident, Snell was born on August 18, 1941 in Garfield, Georgia., George Starke , No. 74 George Starke was an offensive lineman who played for the Washington Redskins from 1972-84. He appeared with the Redskins in three Super Bowls helping them win Super Bowl XVII. Starke's professional football career lasted thirteen years and he had been captain of the Redskins for five years. He was named one of the 70 greatest players in Redskins history. Starke was known as the "Head Hog" of "The Hogs", the Redskins' famous offensive line. "The Hogs" later went on to become the most famous group of linemen to ever play in the National Football League. After his retirement, Starke had a career in broadcasting and was involved in numerous business ventures. In 1996, he founded a not-for-profit job training facility named the Excel Institute designed as a two-year adult education program for at risk youth., George Lawrence Starke was born in New York City on July 18, 1948 and grew up in New Rochelle. Upon graduation from New Rochelle High School, he received a series of football awards, including All-Westchester County, All-Metropolitan, All-State and All-American. He was inducted into the New Rochelle and Westchester County Sports Hall of Fame., Ray Rice , No. 27 Ray Rice played as a running back with the Baltimore Ravens from 2008 to 2013. He helped to lead the Ravens to victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. Help played college football for Rutgers and was drafted by the Ravens in 2008. After five outstanding seasons with the Ravens, Ray proved to be one of the league's most elusive backs averaging five yards every time he took a handoff and reeling in 60-plus passes a year., In March 2014, Rice was involved in a much publicized domestic violence incident. As a result, he became an advocate against domestic violence and warns "the only way to fix the problem is awareness. Domestic violence is an epidemic. I know that my situation raised awareness. I'm not thankful for being that guy, but I'm thankful for the people that now are not afraid to ask for help.", Raymond Mourice Rice was born in New Rochelle on January 22, 1987. He attended New Rochelle High School, where he played football for the Huguenots for long-time coach Lou DiRienzo., Courtney Greene , No. 36 Courtney Greene was a safety who played for the Seattle Seahawks (2009) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2009 - 2011). He played college football at Rutgers where he was named a Freshman All-American by The Sporting News and the Football Writers Association of America. As a sophomore in 2006, Greene was named Second Team All-Big East, starting every game and helping to lead Rutgers to its best football season in three decades., After football, Greene became a personal trainer to help NFL players, college and high school athletes. "I try to help guys get to the next level. It's been a good experience helping them with what I know. There's so much that goes into it and what I can impart to kids.", Courtney Greene was born in New Rochelle on November 23, 1986 and started at New Rochelle High School alongside future college teammate Ray Rice. He led New Rochelle to the Class AA state championship in 2003 in which he earned MVP honors.