New Kensington in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Willie Thrower

(1930-2002)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 24, 2013

1. Willie Thrower Marker

Inscription.
First African American to play quarterback in the modern National Football League and in the Big Ten Conference. He played in two games for the Chicago Bears in 1953 and was a member of Michigan State’s national championship team in 1952. Thrower first played football here, for New Kensington High School’s WPIAL champion teams, 1946-48. He finished his career in Canada at age 27.

Erected 2003 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 40° 33.935′ N, 79° 45.298′ W. Marker is in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, in Westmoreland County. It is at the intersection of Stevenson Boulevard (Pennsylvania Route 366) and Powers Drive ( Route 780), on the right when traveling south on Stevenson Boulevard. Located at entrance to Valley High School in New Kensington. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Kensington PA 15068, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Laurel Highlands

and in Greater Pittsburgh.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Stephanie Kwolek (approx. 0.4 miles away); Eddie Adams (approx. 0.6 miles away); Parnassus Great War Memorial

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(approx. 0.7 miles away); Rotary Decision Garden (approx. 0.7 miles away); World War Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); War Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); US Army M5 Anti-Tank Gun (approx. ¾ mile away); Fannie Sellins (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Kensington.

Also see . . .
1. Willie Thrower. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 30, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Willie Lee Thrower, Sr. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on August 24, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

3. Willie Thrower Behind the Marker. Explore PA History website entry (Submitted on September 4, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Willie Thrower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by UP Photo

2. Willie Thrower

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 24, 2013

3. Willie Thrower Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,242 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 24, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on August 26, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on August 24, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.