He did something no other man had done before, but it wasn’t something Bernie Custis talked a lot about.
Coming out of Syracuse University there was no question Custis was a very good quarterback. The trouble was, he was African-American. And in 1950 the colour of your skin meant more to some in American professional football than your talent on the field.
Custis came to Canada where he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. On Aug. 29, 1951, he made history as the first black starting quarterback in professional football.
Custis, who died Thursday at the age of 88, played for both Hamilton and Ottawa. After retiring he went on to have a successful career coaching junior and college football in Canada.
It’s difficult to define the legacy of a man like Bernie Custis with one word.
‘Trailblazer’ will do for tonight.
Rest easy, Mr. Custis. pic.twitter.com/0NqUvmjVFD
— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) February 24, 2017
Called a trailblazer and leader, the Washington, D.C., native opened the door for players like Chuck Ealey, Warren Moon, Condredge Holloway and Henry Burris to become CFL quarterbacks. Despite the accolades, Custis always remained humble.
Ealey, who quarterbacked the Tiger-Cats to the 1972 Grey Cup championship, remembers meeting Custis when the two played basketball in Hamilton.
“He was a total gentleman in everything he did, totally respectful in every way possible,” said Ealey. “You would never have known that Bernie played in the CFL and (what) he went through (because) I don’t ever remember him having a conversation about it.
“It was kind of one of those things you know but you don’t have to get into. You move on with your life and deal with the people around you.”
While Custis deserves the recognition he has received, Ealey believes Canada warrants praise for not caring about his skin colour.
“What Bernie did has allowed the bridges of thought to be dealt with,” Ealey said.
“A lot of it has to do with Canada itself. It gave Bernie a chance and gave me a chance, another quarterback that came after. It was the cultural aspect of the country. Bernie being the first black quarterback to come into Canada (meant) yes, this can be done and there’s no issue other than your ability to play. I think that was important.”
Chuck Ealey played for the Ticats, Bombers and Argos throughout his seven-year career (CFL.ca)
CFL Commissioner Jeffrey Orridge said besides being a great athlete, Custis was a tremendous leader and successful coach who had a positive impact on countless young lives.
“A true gentleman, he brought honour to our game and our league, and provided us with a role model to emulate,” Orridge said.
Custis was a quarterback at Syracuse University from 1948 to 1950, where he set numerous school records. During his time there he roomed with Al Davis, the future coach and owner of the Oakland Raiders.
The Cleveland Browns selected Custis in the 11th round of the 1951 draft but wanted him to play safety. He refused and signed with Hamilton.
Custis started every game with the Tiger-Cats that season. Hamilton lost to Ottawa in the East Final but Custis was named an All-Star quarterback.
He switched to running back the next year and had an outstanding season. In 1953 Custis was part of the Hamilton team that defeated Winnipeg 12-6 to win the Tiger-Cats’ first Grey Cup title.
Custis finished his career playing for Ottawa in 1955 and 1956.
Bernie Custis, pictured above, paved the way for Condredge Holloway, Chuck Ealey and many others (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
After retiring as a player, Custis spent the next 31 years coaching with the Burlington Braves of the Canadian Junior Football League, the Sheridan College Bruins and McMaster University.
Custis is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and in 2015 received the Commissioner’s Award.
Condredge Holloway, a trailblazer himself after becoming the first black starting quarterback at Tennessee and in the Southeastern Conference in college, said it was because of Custis that being black wasn’t an issue when he came to the CFL in 1975.
“There were black quarterbacks everywhere,” said Holloway, who won Grey Cups with both Ottawa and Toronto.
“The joke was; the NFL doesn’t have a black quarterback because they are all in Canada.”
