Joe Perry

Fletcher Joseph "Joe" Perry revolutionized the fullback position through exceptional speed and elusiveness, becoming the first African-American NFL Most Valuable Player while establishing himself as one of professional football's pioneering black stars. Born January 22, 1927 in Stephens, Arkansas, Perry's family relocated to Los Angeles during the Great Depression, where he became a four-sport star at David Starr Jordan High School while admiring UCLA athletes including Jackie Robinson.

After scoring 22 touchdowns at Compton Junior College in 1944, Perry declined UCLA recruitment and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II, playing football for Naval Air Station Alameda. San Francisco 49ers discovered him there and signed him to the AAFC in 1948 for $4,500—less than Los Angeles Rams' $9,500 offer—based on Perry's trust in owner Tony Morabito, whom he considered like a father. He became the team's first African-American player.

Quarterback Frankie Albert nicknamed him "the J...