Photo from Rutgers Sports Info

Some great college football players used the sport to go on to bigger and better things. Paul Robeson of Rutgers was one of those college students. Robeson went on to become a world renown actor and singer (most known for his signature, "Ol' Man River") along with being a strong social activist. Robeson became a political activist for his founding of the socialist Progressive Party fighting for change in the treatment of blacks and in the social structure in general. 

Robeson excelled as much in the Rutgers classrooms as he did on the football field as class valedictorian before going on to receive a law degree from Columbia. While all his accomplishments were amazing for any student, it's even greater when considering the times. This was the early 1900's and Robeson was the 3rd black to ever attend Rutgers. In football, he was beaten up on the "scrub" team before the players came around to accepting him. He got past the rough beginning to become "the colored wonder" according to the local newspapers as one of the greatest players to step on the gridiron in the first half of the century.

Ringing endorsement: "He is the greatest to ever trot the gridiron," stated Walter Camp when naming him to his 1918 All-American team. He was a solid pass catcher and ball carrier on offense but really excelled as a devastating blocker. On defense, he played what could be best termed as middle linebacker and was a feared hitter. He also kicked off and kicked extra points. Rutgers, who was average before Robeson arrived, was 22-6-3 during his time as Rutgers outscored teams 941-191.

Fighting through racism: In 1916, Washington & Lee protested playing against a black player and the coaching staff claimed Roberson was "injured" and held him out. In Robeson's junior year, West Virginia protested, but this time head coach George Foster Sanford said he was playing. The WVU players went out to really hurt Robeson, but he held tough and dished it out as good as he took it earning the respect of West Virginia head coach Greasy Neale who told his team to "give him a break" after seeing how well he played without complaining. After the game, when Robeson pulled off his socks, he pulled off chunks of skin as well.

Signature performance: Robeson's best game may have been against the undefeated Newport Naval Reserve which was a wartime team loaded with many of the best players in America. Robeson starred on defense, threw the block to lead to their second touchdown, and caught a TD for the opening points of the game on their way to a 14-0 win.

All-Around Athlete: Along with being a two-time All-American on the football field, he won 11 letters in baseball, basketball and track. after school, he played in the American Professional Football League earning an amazing $500 a game.

Honors:

• All-American (Rutgers 1st) - 1917, 1918
• Rutgers sports Hall of Fame - 1988
• College Football Hall of Fame - 1995
• Rutgers, graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was class valedictorian
• Three Rutgers buildings are named after him, none are athletic facilities