Kenny Washington (1984) - Hall of Fame

Kenny Washington

Induction:
1984

In 1946, one year before Jackie Robinson broke major league baseball's color barrier, Kenny Washington helped do the same in the NFL, when he and former Bruin Woody Strode became the first African-American players in that league since its early days. Washington was UCLA's first All-America selection, an exciting halfback who led the nation in total offense in 1939. He played three seasons in the NFL as a halfback, defensive back and kick returner for the Los Angeles Rams. He led the league by averaging 7.4 yards per rush in 1947.

Washington, who died at 52 in 1971, was inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1956. He was a charter member of the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984.