Valley High School football game in September attended by Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney as well as Thrower's family. Willie Thrower was also mentioned by former NFL quarterback Warren Moon in his Pro Football Hall of Fame acceptance speech. Moon thanked Thrower, among others, for giving him inspiration during a time when few African-Americans played the quarterback position in the NFL. See also Racial issues faced by black quarterbacks References External links THE COFFIN CORNER: Vol. 8, No. 3 (1986): WILLIE THROWER: The First Black QB in the NFL by Robert B. Van Atta Willie Thrower Historical Marker Statue to be unveiled tonight by Tom Yerace Trail blazer: Willie 'The Pro' Thrower opened door for black quarterbacks by Chuck Finder. Willie Thrower: Breaking Barriers 1930 births 2002 deaths American football quarterbacks Chicago Bears players Michigan State Spartans football players Drinking establishment owners People from New Kensington, Pennsylvania Players of American football from Pennsylvania African-American players of American football 20th-century African-American sportspeople 21st-century African-American people