Bernie Custis obit

Trailblazing quarterback Bernie Custis dies at 88

 He was not on the list.

Decades before the NFL embraced African-American quarterbacks, Bernie Custis became the first in pro football in 1951 as the starter for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. On Thursday, Custis died at the age of 88.

“Trailblazers are rightly remembered for being the first,” CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge said, via the Associated Press. “Bernie Custis, the first black professional quarterback in the modern era starting with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1951, should be revered as well for being one of our best. A world-class athlete, he excelled both as a quarterback and a running back. A tremendous leader, he was a successful coach who had a positive impact on countless young lives. A true gentleman, he brought honor to our game and our league, and provided us with a role model to emulate.”

The Browns made Custis the sixth overall pick of the 1951 draft. But Cleveland wanted to make him a safety, and Custis wanted to play quarterback. So he went to Canada.

Custis, who played college football at Syracuse and roomed with Al Davis, became a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

After his playing career ended, Custis spent 31 years in coaching at various levels.

In 2019, Bernie Custis Secondary School officially opened in Hamilton, Ontario. The school is located adjacent to Tim Hortons Field (and formerly Ivor Wynne Stadium), home site of the Tiger-Cats and Bernie's first professional games.

Custis was a star quarterback for the Syracuse Orange football in 1948, 1949 and 1950, setting numerous Syracuse records that would last for decades. Custis was recruited by Coach Reaves Baysinger, who was replaced by Ben Schwartzwalder after a 1–8 season. He played the first two seasons of the Coach Schwartzwalder's 25-year tenure at Syracuse. The team went 4–5 in 1949 and 5–5 in 1950.

Custis was awarded the Syracuse Football team's Most Valuable Player trophy for the 1948 season.

Custis roomed with Al Davis, the future coach and owner of the Oakland Raiders, at Syracuse.

 

Personal information

Born    September 23, 1928

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Died    February 23, 2017 (aged 88)

Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Career information

High school     John Bartram (Philadelphia)

College            Syracuse University

Career history

Playing

1951–1954      Hamilton Tiger-Cats

1955–1956      Ottawa Rough Riders

Coaching

1958    Tip Tops (Jr)

1959    East York Argonaught (Jr)

1960–1963      Oakville Black Knights (Jr)

1964–1972      Burlington Braves (Jr)

1973–1980      Sheridan College

1981–1988      McMaster University

Awards and highlights

Grey Cup champion (1953)

Second-team All-Eastern (1950)

Canadian Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1998)