Charles Follis | Charles Follis Greatest Player In Pro Football Interview With Herman D. Smith and Ralph N Paulk

ABOUT Charles Follis. Charles Follis AKA Charles W. Follis was the first Black professional American football player. He played for the Shelby Blues of the “Ohio League” from 1902 through the 1906 season. On September 16, 1904, Follis signed a contract with Shelby, making him the first Black man contracted to play professional football. He was also the first black catcher to move from college baseball to the Negro Leagues.

In football Follis entered Wooster College, in 1901, however, he chose to play football for the amateur Wooster Athletic Association, rather than the college squad. As a member of the Wooster Athletic Association that he would earn the nickname, “The Black Cyclone.” At the end of the 1901 season, Wooster played the Shelby Blues in a two-game series. Follis’ performance brought him to the attention of the Shelby team manager, Frank C. Schiffer, who decided he wanted Follis to play with his team, not against them. Schiffer secured Follis for his team and set him up with a job at a local hardware store. Charles’ working hours were arranged so that he could both practice and play football.

During the 1902 and 1903 seasons, Charles Follis played for Shelby. During a 58–0 win over a team from Fremont, Follis ran for a 60-yard touchdown. In 1904, he helped lead the Blues to an 8–1–1 record. Their only loss was to the Massillon Tigers, the 1904 Ohio League champions. In 1906, the Blues became an entirely open professional team. Charles Follis missed the early part of the season due to an injury, however, he did return in the second half of the season. Finally, on Thanksgiving Day 1906, while playing against the Franklin Athletic Club of Cleveland, Mr. Follis suffered another injury, though this one ended his career. He earned many trophies during his college football career.