| No. 99 | |
| Born: | September 23, 1928 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died: | February 23, 2017 (aged 88) Burlington, Ontario, Canada |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | RB, QB |
| College | Syracuse University |
| High school | John Bartram High School |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 1958 | Tip Tops (Jr) |
| 1959 | East York Argonaught (Jr) |
| 1960–63 | Oakville Black Knights (Jr) |
| 1964–72 | Burlington Braves (Jr) |
| 1973–80 | Sheridan College |
| 1981–88 | McMaster University |
| As player | |
| 1951–54 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| 1955–56 | Ottawa Rough Riders |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career stats | |
Bernard Eugene Custis (September 23, 1928 – February 23, 2017) was an American and Canadian football player who went on to a distinguished coaching career. He is known for having been the first black professional quarterback in the modern era and first in professional Canadian football, starting for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1951.[1][2]
In 2019, Bernie Custis Secondary School officially opened in Hamilton, Ontario. The school is located adjacent to Tim Hortons Field (and formerly Ivor Wynne Stadium), home site of the Tiger-Cats and Bernie's first professional games.[3]
- ^ "Meet Bernie Custis, football's first African-American quarterback". thestar.com. August 12, 2011.
- ^ Note: Fritz Pollard is credited by some as being the first African-American quarterback in pro football. In 1923 Pollard took several direct snaps from the center in an NFL game for the Hammond Pros.
- ^ "Hamilton school to be named after Bernie Custis, pro football's 1st black starting QB". CBC News. September 18, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
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