Sport(s) Football Position(s) Guard | 1924–1926 USC Alma mater Southern California Name Brice Taylor | |
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Born July 4, 1902Seattle, Washington ( 1902-07-04 ) Died September 18, 1974(1974-09-18) (aged 72)Downey, California | ||
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Brice Union Taylor (July 4, 1902 – September 18, 1974) was the first All-American football player at the University of Southern California, as well as one of the school's first African-American players. Taylor was also once head coach of the Southern University Jaguars football team.
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Early years
Brice Taylor was born on July 4, 1902 in Seattle, Washington, which resulted in his middle name of "Union." Taylor played at Franklin High School in his native Seattle.
Playing career
Taylor was a prominent guard for the USC Trojans football team of the University of Southern California. He was a member of USC's 1925 class and was the school's first All-American football player, but was not recorded in the school's media guide due to "the racism that permeated USC's football field at that time." In the 1950s, Brad Pye Jr. and Deke Houlgate Sr. initiated a campaign to have Taylor's name added to USC's media guide listing of All-Americans, which was ultimately successful.
Taylor's All-American play was made all the more spectacular because he was born without a left hand.
Coaching career
Taylor was the head coach of the Southern University football team from 1928 to 1931. While at Southern, Taylor began what would become the Bayou Classic against rival Grambling State University. He led the Jaguars to their first undefeated season in 1931.
Personal
Taylor was a descendant of Tecumseh. He became a minister and teacher after college. He also taught tennis. He died in 1974 in Downey, California. He was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.