Hall of Fame
Position: Halfback
Years: 1945, 1947-1948
Place of Birth: Gates, TN
Date of Birth: Jan 08, 1927
Place of Death: Mason, OH
Date of Death: Oct 8, 2018
Jersey Number: 44
Height: 5-11
Weight: 190
High School: Gary, IN (Roosevelt HS)
George Taliaferro was a high school star in Gary, Indiana, before moving on to Indiana University in 1945. He was an instant success as a standout running back, quarterback, defensive back and kicker. During his freshman season, he helped the Hoosiers to their first Big Ten Championship and first unbeaten season at 9-0-1. After an opening victory over Michigan and a 7-7 tie with Northwestern, the Hoosiers ripped off triumphs over Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Tulsa, Cornell, Minnesota, Pitt and Purdue - eight straight in the "win" column.
In a 49-0 rout of Minnesota, Taliaferro scored three touchdowns, including an 82-yard interception return and a 95-yard kickoff return. He finished his incredible freshman season as IU's leading rusher with 719 yards. Taliaferro missed the 1946 season to serve in the Army, but he returned to play in 1947 and 1948 and was voted Indiana's Most Valuable Player in 1948.
Taliaferro was a three-time All-American who led Indiana in rushing, passing and punting in different seasons during his college career. But he was just as big of a figure off the field at Indiana, as he was well-known for his efforts to desegregate the school's Bloomington campus.
Taliaferro became the first African-American player drafted by an NFL team when he was selected in the 13th round by the Chicago Bears in 1949. However, he signed his first professional contract with the Los Angeles Dons of the All-American Football Conference. Taliaferro later played in the NFL for franchises in New York, Dallas, Baltimore and Philadelphia, earning trips to the Pro Bowl in 1951, 1952 and 1953.
Taliaferro and his wife, Viola, a judge who worked with juveniles, championed young people in Monroe County, Indiana. He was one of three men to found Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monroe County in 1973.
After retiring from football, he became a special assistant to then-Indiana University President John Ryan. Charged with implementing affirmative action programs throughout the IU system, Taliaferro worked tirelessly and with great success to open the doors of higher education to minorities.
He passed away Oct. 8, 2018. At age 91, he was the fifth oldest living Hall of Fame player.
