Bobby Grier (American football player)

In 1956, he was the first African American football player to break the color barrier of the United States collegiate Sugar Bowl game, which was held in New Orleans.[5][6] In October 2022, Bobby Grier was enshrined in Pitt Athletics Hall at Heinz Field alongside Georgia Tech's President's grandson Blake Van Leer, actor Anthony Mackie, fellow alumni and his family.A large contingent from the New Orleans community, as well as many connected with Georgia Tech, openly fought to bar either Grier, Pitt, or the Yellow Jacket team from the game.Georgia Tech's president, coach, students, and football players from the Atlanta-based school, civil rights leaders from multiple locales, as well as a large number of the Pitt community, however, succeeded in seeing Grier take to the gridiron that January day.[15] Van Leer's stance would typically not serve an administrator in a Deep South institution well in the 1950s, however the prospect of any long-term professional consequences proved moot since he died of a heart attack only three weeks after the fateful bowl game.The margin of victory mostly resulted from a disputed first quarter 31-yard pass interference penalty which was called on Grier, giving Georgia Tech a first and goal on the Pitt 1-yard line.[21] Later in 2022, Grier along with his son Rob were invited for a VIP tour at Georgia Tech, College Football Hall of Fame and National Center for Civil and Human Rights.