The Detroit Lions's first black player dead at 82

North Carolina native Bob Mann, honorable mention All-American and All-Big Nine star of the Michigan Wolverines, and the first African American Detroit Lion, passed away Saturday, October 21. Mann played on Wolverines coach Fritz Crisler's national championship and undefeated (10-0) team, and in 1948, he and back Melvin Groomes became the Lions's first African American players. In 1949, Mann set a team record for receptions with 66, and led the NFL in yards receiving with 1,014, making him the Lions's first 1,000-yard receiver. Mann was traded to the New York Yanks for future Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne, and ended his career with the Green Bay Packers (1950-54). Following his football career, Mann earned his law degree and led the Robert Mann & Associates law firm for over thirty years. Mann was 82.

Sources: DetroitLions.com, Associated Press