logo
Instagram/violadavis
Instagram/violadavis

Viola Davis Proudly Shares Story about Kenny Washington during the Super Bowl Pre-game Show

Afouda Bamidele
Feb 18, 2021
06:10 A.M.

The latest update on Hollywood icon Viola Davis has her telling the inspiring story of NFL champion Kenny Washington who goes down as a pivotal person in Black history.

Advertisement

Viola Davis tells the "Jackie Robinson" story of late NFL champion Kenny Washington, who had an amazing career as a professional American football and how he broke the subtle NFL barrier.

The star actress took to her Instagram page sharing a lovely photo of herself standing in a huge studio space with several ladders in the background. Davis informed fans in her caption that she would be honoring Washington's life and times.

Viola Davis at the red carpet during the 14th Rome Film Festival on October 26, 2019 | Photo: Getty Images

Viola Davis at the red carpet during the 14th Rome Film Festival on October 26, 2019 | Photo: Getty Images

The "How To Get Away With Murder" actress was wearing a wine trouser suit with something like a scarf stylishly attached across. She had a big grin on her face with both her hands showing the peace sign.

Davis joined CBS for the Superbowl pregame show in looking at the NFL's reintegration. During the great depression in 1933, colorism in the NFL became more pronounced when team owners decided not to accept Blacks into their leagues.

Advertisement

When the NFL started in 1920, there were no color barriers, but the subtle actions carried out within the league pointed largely to skin barriers. There were only two black keynote players playing in teams at the time.

Advertisement

Washington, 28 at the time, joined the Rams, making him the first Black player to be drafted in the NFL.

Advertisement

There was a turning point in 1946 when the Cleveland Rams moved to Los Angeles. The team played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum which was built mainly with revenue from Black players.

At the time, some African-American journalists were quite dissatisfied that there were a minimal number of Black players in the NFL. This led to the lift of the subtle ban on Black football players.

Advertisement

To this effect, Washington, 28 at the time, joined the Rams, making him the first Black player to be drafted in the NFL after 12 years of unofficial racial segregation. Soon enough, the Rams signed another African-American, Woody Strode.

Washington started out with a sterling career at UCLA before making a pivotal change within the NFL. However, while the late star made several efforts to get into the NFL before the ban was lifted, he worked as a coach for UCLA.

Kenny Washington leaped high into the air with a football on January 01, 1930 | Photo: Getty Images

Kenny Washington leaped high into the air with a football on January 01, 1930 | Photo: Getty Images

However, his career within the league was short. The football star retired in 1948, and his jersey was retired by UCLA in 1956. Washington passed on in 1957 of heart and lung complications.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Who Is Thuso Mbedu's Husband? Fans Suggest She and John Boyega Would Make a Beautiful Couple

November 12, 2023

Kathy Giacalone Siragusa Was Tony Siragusa's Wife for 27 Years & Became Mom to 3 Kids

December 09, 2023

David & Victoria Beckham Spark Clashing Reactions after Starring in New Commercial

January 31, 2024

Super Bowl Champion Matt Ulrich Passes Away While in ‘Peak Condition’ of His Health

November 08, 2023

Kayna Whitworth: A Successful TV Journalist and a Doting Mother of Two Sons

November 23, 2023

Tom Brady Goes Shirtless on Family Vacation & Fans Notice the Changes in His Physical Appearance

November 26, 2023

Erin Kate Dolan Does Not Have a Husband & Is Committed to Her ESPN Career

November 19, 2023

Sanaa Lathan Had Boyfriends but Never a Husband — Her Dating History

January 25, 2024

What Is Freddie Simpson Doing Now? The Actress's Last Film Was in 2002

November 18, 2023

Former NFL Star Passed Away at 33 with 2 of His Teammates by His Side

November 13, 2023

Karl Malone Has 7 Children with 3 Women & 3 Were Born Before He Married

December 20, 2023

Ryan Fitzpatrick's 7 Kids Are Mostly Kept Out of the Spotlight

November 20, 2023

‘Pretty Little Liars’ Star Ashley Benson Ties the Knot with Oil Heir after Less than a Year of Dating

November 08, 2023

Millionaire's Daughter Shames Maid – Story of the Day

December 20, 2023