Johnny Bright was the first Black person to be considered for the Heisman and the first to play at Oklahoma A&M’s stadium. But as he made history, the opposing team’s head coach encouraged players to target Bright.
Bright was known for being extremely fast so the opposing team plotted against him.
A defensive lineman ran through the in the opening minutes of the game and slammed straight into Bright.
Bright was defenseless like any other player in this era. He stayed in the game after the attack but lost consciousness multiple times before finally being taken out of the game.
Bright’s jaw had to be wired shut The defensive lineman faced no repercussions for his actions.
The racist attacks on Bright became the breaking point for collegiate and professional football leagues to incorporate face masks on all helmets as a requirement.
The attack on Bright would usher in a new era for player safety but more importantly, he stands as an example of our ability to use our struggles to pave the way for the next generation.