Annointments of African Americans for Professional Sport Ownership Positions - by Moses

National Football League

1. Tony Dungy – Indianapolis Colts

Qualifications - First African-American Coach to win the Superbowl, when he took the Colts to the big dance and won it all in ‘07. Took his Tampa Bay Bucs' to the Playoffs three years in a row. His son, at Eighteen years of age, committed suicide on December 23rd, 2005.

2. Joe Greene, Lynn Swann, and Franco Harris - Pittsburgh Steelers

Qualifications - Three greats of the Seventies and Eighties. 'Mean' Joe Greene is considered by many to be the greatest Defensive End of All-Time. Was part of the Steel Curtain that went on to win 4 Super-Bowls (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980) and was one of few players whose career spanned into three decades (1969-1981). Won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1969, and won AP Defensive Player of the Year in both 1972 and 1974. In 1979 Joe Greene won the Walter Payton Man of the Year. Greene was first team All-Star on five occasions and was named to 10 Pro-Bowls (every year neigh 1977, 1969-1979).
Lynn Swann - Won four Super-Bowls alongside 'Mean' Joe Greene. Was named to 3 Pro-Bowls, and was widely considered to be the one of the best Wide Receivers of his time alongside; teammate John Stallworth, Drew Pearson, Harold Carmichael, and Art Monk.
Franco Harris - Won 4 Super Bowls during the same years as the others, and was named to nine consecutive Pro-Bowls from 1972-1980. In 1975 during the Steelers' first Superbowl run, Harris made the reception known forever as the 'immaculate reception'. With his Steelers down late in the fourth quarter (against the Oakland Raiders in the AFL Championship Game), Harris made a fourth down catch with no time on the clock, and took it to the house to take his Steelers to the Superbowl.

3. Art Shell – Oakland Raiders

Qualifications - First African-American to become a Head Coach in the NFL when he was named Coach of the Los Angeles Raiders in 1989. Took the Raiders to the Playoffs in 3 of his first Six years there. His playing career was truly standout as he won eight Pro-Bowls as Offensive Tackle for the Oakland Raiders (later L.A) under Head Coach greats John Madden and Tom Flores. Won two Super-Bowls with the Raiders, Superbowl XI and XV.

4. Tony Dorsett – Dallas Cowboys

Qualifications - Was Rookie of the year in 1977 with the Dallas Cowboys. Took the boys’ to the Super Bowl in both ’78 and ’79, winning the Super-Bowl in 1978 against the Denver Broncos. Played alongside famed great Roger Staubach, and played under the wing of legendary Head Coach Tom Landry. Their rivalry against the Pittsburgh Steelers was paramount during Dorsett's playing career.

5. Jim Brown – Cleveland Browns

Qualifications - Was known as the greatest Running Back of his day. Many have said Jim Brown was the best back of All-Time. He ranks in the top of 6 of all-time alongside; Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, O.J Simpson, and Tony Dorsett. Won the Rushing title with regularity in the Sixties. His surname is Brown and he played for the ‘Browns.

6. Jerry Rice - San Francisco 49ers

Qualifications - Won 3 Super-Bowls with the 49ers in the late eighties - early nineties alongside fellow Hall of Famer Joe Montana (although Montana had left for the Chiefs a couple of years before the 49ers last win in 1995 - replaced by Steve Young). Had 100 or more receptions in a season 4 times, and led the league in Yardage 6 times over his storied career. Had 80 or more receptions 12 times in his career. Had 1549 career receptions and 197 touchdowns (both records for Wide Receivers). Won 10 first-string selections and was named to 13 Pro-Bowls. Rice excelled the most during the Super-Bowls in which he played, taking home the Player of the Game Award once, in Super-Bowl XXIII. In his first Superbowl with the Oakland Raiders in 2002/03, he caught a TD pass, making four games in which he received at least one TD/game. Rice amassed an NFL leading 22895 yards from scrimmage, the most of any player of All-Time.

7. Mike Singletary - Chicago Bears

Qualifications - Mike Singletary was the pinnacle of the stingiest defense in Pro-Football as an inside linebacker, and in 1985 he won NFC Defensive Player of the year. The Bears won the Super-Bowl, and the Fridge was a household name. Alongside the ever classy Walter Payton, Singletary was known in Football circles to be the most knowledgeable and studious of all American Footballers.

In memory of; Gene Upshaw – Oakaland Raiders - August 15, 1945 - August 20, 2008

Was the first African-American to work in a Management role of a Professional Sports League. As the head of the NFLPA (a paradigm to the players’ choice of Commissioner) for over twenty years (through three Owner Tenancies), Upshaw was also a tremendous player with the Oakland Raiders winning 5 Pro Bowls X1 throughout his storied career.  He is the only NFL'er to appear in a Super-Bowl in 4 Decades {Beginning in the late 60's).  Was apart of 2 Super-Bowl wins; XI and XV. Gene Upshaw’s younger brother Willie Upshaw, played Professional Baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays.