By Darin From breaking the color barrier to the birth of the “No Fun League,” March 21st stands as a pivotal date in the evolution of professional football. Decades before the modern era, Kenny Washington made history by reintegrating the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams, ending a shameful thirteen-year “blackout.” On this same day, the business of the game shifted forever with Art Modell’s record-breaking purchase of the Browns. Not long after, the league’s personality was shaped by the infamous 1984 anti-celebration rule. Together, these stories highlight a day marked by social progress, high-stakes ownership, and the legendary careers of Hall of Famers like John Hicks and Jim McCormick.
Before we step back into the history of the day, let’s take a breath of gridiron nostalgic art from a high school program cover.
March 21 American Football History Timeline
- March 21, 1946 – Kenny Washington signs with the Rams, becoming the 1st black NFL player since 1933. There was an ugly 13-year period in the NFL where franchises in some cruel, unwritten agreement would not sign a player of color. According to an article on the Undefeated.com, the Cleveland Rams, who were relocating to Los Angeles, changed that. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, in which the team wanted to play, was publicly owned, meaning it was funded by white and black taxpayer dollars, and there was an expectation that the team would be integrated. Rams general manager Charlie “Chile” Walsh signed former UCLA standout Kenny Washington. The Rams purchased the 27-year-old’s contract from the Hollywood Bears and reportedly signed the halfback to a “five-figure salary,” the Los Angeles Sentinel reported. Walsh would tell the Los Angeles Times that the “financial arrangements are entirely satisfactory to Washington and keeping with the [ex-UCLA player’s] gridiron reputation.” The article goes on to say that Kenny was named as an All-American in 1939 with the Bruins, per Liberty Magazine. Washington was not the first African -American to play in the NFL, as great players such as Fritz Pollard and Bobby Marshall played in the early 1920s when the League was forming, but it was groundbreaking nonetheless. Remember, Jackie Robinson did not bravely break the color barrier in baseball until April of 1947.
- March 21, 1961 – Art Modell purchased the Cleveland Browns for a then-record $3,925,000. Modell was a businessman who was well-connected in the television and advertising industries, and he was adept at public relations. He wanted an NFL team to make a name for himself, so he paid the price. According to BrownsNation.com, Modell invested $250,000 of his own money, borrowed $2.7 million, and had his partners foot the rest of the bill. Then, after the sale was completed, Modell was given control of the Browns. Modell fired Paul Brown as Coach, squabbled with Jim Brown until he prematurely retired, demoted Bernie Kosar in favor of Vinny Testaverde, and then, in his 35th year of ownership of the club, he took the franchise out of Cleveland and moved it to Baltimore.
- March 21, 1984 – NFL owners passed the infamous anti-celebrating rule. A Bleacher Report article expands on the motion, stating that the league first introduced language that defined illegal celebrations as “any prolonged, excessive, premeditated celebration by individual players or groups of players,” according to the official 1984 rulebook excerpt. That effectively ended group celebrations. The use of a prop was further included in the rules in 2006, and in 2014, the rule and its intention had to be looked at again when KC’s Husain Abdullah was flagged for dropping to his knees in prayer after a pick six; therefore, a few later group celebrations were welcomed once again, and this made for some further entertainment in the League.
March 21 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Happy Birthday to these legendary figures of the gridiron! Here is the list for March 21, ordered by their year of birth:
- Jim McCormick [1884] A powerhouse fullback for Princeton, McCormick was a three-time All-American who led the Tigers to a dominant 27-6 record during his collegiate career. His blend of speed and strength made him nearly impossible to tackle, earning him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954 and a stint as his alma mater’s head coach.
- John Hicks [1951] One of the greatest offensive linemen in Ohio State history, Hicks was a two-time All-American and the first player to ever start in three Rose Bowls. In 1973, he swept the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award and achieved the rare feat for a lineman of finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
Additional Birthdays
- Adrian Peterson [1985]Born in Palestine, Texas, the running back nicknamed “All Day” became one of the most dominant forces in NFL history. A three-time rushing leader and the 2012 NFL MVP, he famously came within nine yards of Eric Dickerson‘s single-season rushing record just a year after a major knee injury. He finished his career as one of the top five rushers in league history.
- Tom Flores [1937]Celebrating his 89th birthday today, Flores is a true trailblazer as the first minority quarterback to win a Super Bowl and the first minority head coach to win one. A 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, he won two Super Bowls as the head coach of the Raiders and a total of four across his career as a player, assistant, and head coach.
Conclusion
The events of March 21st highlight the complex tapestry of American football—a mix of courageous social breakthroughs, controversial ownership tenures, and the regulation of the game’s very soul. Kenny Washington’s signing paved the way for the stars of today. Meanwhile, the stories of Jim McCormick and John Hicks remind us of the grit that built the sport’s foundation. As the NFL continues to balance its rich traditions with modern entertainment, reflecting on these milestones provides essential context for where the league has been and where it’s headed.
Did you miss a day of gridiron history? No fear, check out our March 20 page.
Big thanks to our sources mentioned above, Newspapers.com, and Pro-Football-Reference.com.
