Willie Thrower

Willie “the Pro” Thrower

New York Times, Oct. 26, 1952
Michigan State Topples Penn State Eleven From Ranks of the Undefeateds
  EAST LANSING, Mich., Oct. 25--...
  Late in the fourth period Michigan State's second-string quarterback, Willie Thrower, another Pennsylvania product, hurled 26 yards to Leroy Bolden for a touchdown.
New York Times, Nov. 23, 1952
Michigan State Take 24th in Row, 62-13
  EAST LANSING, Mich., Nov. 22--Undefeated Michigan State stormed to nine touchdowns over Marquette today for a 62-to-13 victory that virtually assured the Spartans of the mythical football championship
  Closing out its second unbeaten season with a 24-game winning streak, Michigan State let loose a dazzling offensive show for its highest winning score of the year.
  Except for a brief 7-all deadlock in the first period, Michigan State's victory was never in doubt as Coach Clarence (Biggie) Munn's football machine paraded to touchdowns in every period.
...
  The fourth Michigan State marker followed another pass interception, this time by Rex Corless, two passes by Willie Thrower netted 27 yards and then he scored himself on a 1-yard quarterback sneak.
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  Willie Thrower passed 19 yards to end Ellis Duckett for another touchdown as Michigan State thre third-stringers into the line-up.
New York Times, April 24, 1953
 Thrower Accepts Bears' Terms
  EAST LANSING, Mich., April 23 (AP)--Willie Thrower, Michigan State College passing quarterback, signed with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League today for $6,500 a year.
Willie Thrower was the first Black quarterback in the Big Ten
Willie Thrower was he first Black quarterback in the N.F.L., his only game with the Chicago Bears, October 18, 1953 in a 35-28 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Replacing George Blanda, he completed 3 of 8 for 27 yards, and an interception