Fritz Pollard

Frederick Douglass (Fritz) Pollard (January 27, 1894 ? May 11, 1986) was the first African-American head coach in the National Football League. He played college football at Brown University and later played professional football with the Akron Pros, the team he would lead to NFL (APFA) championship in 1920. In 1921, he became the co-head coach of the Pros, while still maintaining his roster position as running back.

Teams he coached for

• Akron 1921 Served as co head coach with Elgie Tobin
• Hammond 1925

Some sources indicate that Pollard also served as co-coach of the Milwaukee Badgers with Al Garrett for part of the 1922 season. He also coached the non NFL team Gilberton in 1923 and is believed to have had some coaching duties with Hammond in 1923 as well.

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In 2005, Pollard was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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