Charles Follis American football player

Charles W. Follis, a.k.a. "The Black Cyclone," (February 3, 1879 – April 5, 1910) was the first black professional football player. He played for the Shelby Blues of the "Ohio League" from 1902 to 1906. On September 16, 1904, Follis signed a contract with Shelby making him the first black contracted to play professional football. He was also the first black catcher to move from college baseball onto a black professional baseball team.

Personal facts

Birth date	February 03, 1879
Birth place	Virginia , Cloverdale Virginia , United States
Date of death	April 05, 1910
Height (meters)	1.8288
Weight (Kilograms)	90.72