In honor of legendary trailblazing player Paul Robeson, we focus today on the 1917 matchup between Rutgers and West Virginia, which remains one of the most legendary chapters in Robeson’s "Iron Man" career.

Vintage archival photo of Paul Robeson as an All-American football player for Rutgers. Robeson is shown in a worn wool jersey and primitive leather helmet, gazing forward with intense focus for historical sports research and Pigskin Dispatch archives.
All-American Rutgers end Paul Robeson, 1919.

The 1917 Rutgers vs. West Virginia Clash

Entering that game, West Virginia was a heavily favored powerhouse. Robeson, playing end, put on a defensive and offensive clinic that left the Mountaineers stunned.

  • The Defensive Force: Robeson was credited with a staggering number of tackles, virtually shutting down West Virginia's outside run game by himself.

  • The Psychological Victory: Historical accounts suggest that some West Virginia players initially refused to take the field against a Black player. Robeson responded with such overwhelming skill and clean, hard-hitting play that by the fourth quarter, he had earned the vocal respect of the very opponents who had snubbed him. Rutgers secured a massive 7–0 upset, and the game is cited as the moment Robeson proved he was the premier collegiate player in America.

Pro Ball & The Columbia Law Years

What many casual fans miss is that Robeson used the "pro game" to fund his legendary legal education. While attending Columbia Law School (after graduating as valedictorian from Rutgers), he played for two early NFL (then APFA) teams:

Paul Robeson's Professional Tenure

Team Year(s) Role
Akron Pros 1921 Defensive End / Receiver
Milwaukee Badgers 1922 End

He was a force at the professional level, often traveling by train on weekends to play games in the Midwest before returning to New York for Monday morning classes. He eventually retired from football to focus on the stage and his legal career, but those "Law School Years" remain a testament to his incredible discipline—a perfect story for your Football Fix audience about the true meaning of a "student-athlete."

Football History Connection

You might find it interesting that during his time with the Akron Pros, Robeson played alongside Fritz Pollard, the NFL’s first Black head coach. Seeing the Rutgers wool jersey in your archives and contrasting it with the Akron Pros' transition to early canvas-reinforced jerseys would make for a great "Evolution of the Kit" segment.