Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. Among the earliest of African-Americans to shatter the racial barrier in professional football, he was regarded by many as being one of the greatest fullbacks in the history of the sport. For nine seasons (1946 to 1953, 1955), he played at the fullback and linebacker positions in the All-America Football Conference and National Football League with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. He attended McKinley High School (Canton, Ohio) and South Carolina State University, before transferring to Nevada-Reno where he concluded his collegiate football career. Following service with the US Navy during World War II, he was signed as a non-drafted player by Cleveland in the newly-formed AAFC and along with Dante Lavelli who provided a prime air target for quarterback Otto Graham, Motley and Bill Willis supplied a supreme ground attack. During the course of Motley's career, he was a key factor in five Browns' championship titles (1946 to 1950) and led the NFL in rushing yardage with 810 in 1950. In 106 regular season games, he amassed 4,720 rushing yards with 31 touchdowns, earning Pro-bowl honors in 1950 and First-Team All-Pro status twice (1948 to 1950). He was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. Among the earliest of African-Americans to shatter the racial barrier in professional football, he was regarded by many as being one of the greatest fullbacks in the history of the sport. For nine seasons (1946 to 1953, 1955), he played at the fullback and linebacker positions in the All-America Football Conference and National Football League with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. He attended McKinley High School (Canton, Ohio) and South Carolina State University, before transferring to Nevada-Reno where he concluded his collegiate football career. Following service with the US Navy during World War II, he was signed as a non-drafted player by Cleveland in the newly-formed AAFC and along with Dante Lavelli who provided a prime air target for quarterback Otto Graham, Motley and Bill Willis supplied a supreme ground attack. During the course of Motley's career, he was a key factor in five Browns' championship titles (1946 to 1950) and led the NFL in rushing yardage with 810 in 1950. In 106 regular season games, he amassed 4,720 rushing yards with 31 touchdowns, earning Pro-bowl honors in 1950 and First-Team All-Pro status twice (1948 to 1950). He was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
Bio by: C.S.
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