Johnny D. Bright (born June 11, 1930, Fort Wayne, Indiana; died December 14, 1983, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) was a professional football player with the Canadian Football League (primarily with the Edmonton Eskimos) and an outstanding college football player at Drake University. Bright is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame, the Edmonton Eskimos Wall of Honour , the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame, and the Des Moines Register's Iowa Sports Hall of Fame. In 1951, Bright was named a First Team College Football All-American, and was awarded the Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Sporstmanship Award. In 1969, Bright was named Drake University's greatest football player of all time. He was also one of the first recipients of the Drake National D Club's Double "D" Award. The football field at Drake Stadium, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, is named in his honor. June 11 is the 162nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (163rd in leap years), with 203 days remaining. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Fort Wayne was the name of at least two historic forts in the United States of America; one of these gave its name to Fort Wayne, Indiana. ... Official language(s) English Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Area  Ranked 38th  - Total 36,418 sq mi (94,321 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 270 miles (435 km)  - % water 1. ... December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... More than one place has the name Edmonton. ... Motto: Fortis et liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English Flower Wild rose Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ralph Klein (PC) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total  - Land  - Water    (% of total)  Ranked 6th 661,848 km² 642,317 km² 19... The Canadian Football League (CFL), also known by its French name, Ligue canadienne de football (LCF), is a professional league located entirely in Canada that plays Canadian football. ... The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian Football League team based in Edmonton, Alberta. ... Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ... The Canadian Football Hall of Fame officially opened as a museum to dedicate football in Canada on November 28, 1972. ... The National Football Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1947. ... The College Football Hall of Fame, located in South Bend, Indiana, United States, is a hall of fame devoted to college football. ... The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian Football League team based in Edmonton, Alberta. ... The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian Football League team based in Edmonton, Alberta. ... The Des Moines Register is the daily morning newspaper of Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States. ... The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective position. ... Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ... Drake Stadium is a stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. ... Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ... This article is about the state capital of Iowa. ... Official language(s) English Capital Des Moines Largest city Des Moines Area  Ranked 26th  - Total 56,272 sq mi (145,743 km²)  - Width 199 miles (320 km)  - Length 310 miles (500 km)  - % water 0. ...

In addition to his outstanding professional football career in the CFL, Bright is perhaps best known for his role as the victim of a savage, most likely racially motivated, on-field assault by an opposing collegiate football player from Oklahoma A&M (now, Oklahoma State University) on October 20, 1951, that was captured in a Pulitzer Prize winning photo sequence, and eventually came to be known as the "Johnny Bright Incident." The Canadian Football League (CFL), also known by its French name, Ligue canadienne de football (LCF), is a professional league located entirely in Canada that plays Canadian football. ... Oklahoma State University Logo The Oklahoma State University System comprises of five educational instututes across Oklahoma. ... Oklahoma State University Logo The Oklahoma State University System comprises of five educational instututes across Oklahoma. ... The gold medal awarded for Public Service in Journalism The Pulitzer Prize is an American award regarded as the highest honor in print journalism, literary achievements, and musical compositions. ...

College football career

Bright was a three-sport (track, football, and basketball) star at Central High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Following his graduation from Central High in 1947, Bright accepted a track scholarship from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, that allowed him to try out for the football and basketball squads. Bright eventually lettered in football, basketball, and track during his collegiate career at Drake University. Central High School is a common name for high schools in the United States. ... Fort Wayne was the name of at least two historic forts in the United States of America; one of these gave its name to Fort Wayne, Indiana. ... Official language(s) English Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Area  Ranked 38th  - Total 36,418 sq mi (94,321 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 270 miles (435 km)  - % water 1. ... Central High School is a common name for high schools in the United States. ... Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ... This article is about the state capital of Iowa. ... Official language(s) English Capital Des Moines Largest city Des Moines Area  Ranked 26th  - Total 56,272 sq mi (145,743 km²)  - Width 199 miles (320 km)  - Length 310 miles (500 km)  - % water 0. ... Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ...

Following a mandatory freshman red-shirt year, Bright began his collegiate football career in earnest in 1949, rushing for 975 yards and throwing for another 975 to lead the nation in total offense during his sophomore year, as the Drake Bulldogs finished their season at 6-2-1. In Bright's junior year, the halfback/quarterback rushed for 1,232 yards and passed for 1,168 yards, setting an NCAA record for total offense (2400 yards) in 1950, and again leading his Drake Bulldogs football team to a 6-2-1 record. The offensive team or offense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage in possession of the ball. ... Joe Montana, an American quaterback. ... The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA, often said NC-Double-A) is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletics programs of many colleges and universities in the United States. ...

Bright's senior year began with great promise. Bright was considered a pre-season Heisman Trophy candidate, and was leading the nation in both rushing and total offense with 821 and 1,349 yards respectively, when the Drake Bulldogs, winners of their previous five games, faced Missouri Valley Conference foe Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on October 20, 1951. The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award (also known simply as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman), named after former college football player and coach John W. Heisman, is considered the most prestigious award in American college football. ... The Missouri Valley Conference (also called MVC or simply The Valley) is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States. ... Oklahoma State University Logo The Oklahoma State University System comprises of five educational instututes across Oklahoma. ... Stillwater is the name of some places in the United States of America: Stillwater, Minnesota Stillwater, New York Stillwater, Oklahoma Stillwater is the name of several rivers, see Stillwater River. ... Official language(s) None Capital Oklahoma City Largest city Oklahoma City Area  Ranked 20th  - Total 69,960 sq. ...

The "Johnny Bright Incident"

Bright's participation as a halfback/quarterback in the Drake University vs. Oklahoma A&M football game on October 20, 1951 was controversial, as it marked the first time that such a prominent African-American athlete, with national notoriety and of critical importance to the success of his team, had played against Oklahoma A&M on their home field in Stillwater, Oklahoma. During the first seven minutes of the game, Bright had been knocked unconscious three times by blows from Oklahoma A&M defensive tackle, Wilbanks Smith. While the final, elbow blow from Smith broke Bright's jaw, Bright was able to throw a 61-yard touchdown pass a few plays later before the injury finally forced him to leave the game. Bright finished the game with less than 100 yards for the first time in his three year collegiate career at Drake. The offensive team or offense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage in possession of the ball. ... Joe Montana, an American quaterback. ... Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ... Oklahoma State University Logo The Oklahoma State University System comprises of five educational instututes across Oklahoma. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... Oklahoma State University Logo The Oklahoma State University System comprises of five educational instututes across Oklahoma. ... Stillwater is the name of some places in the United States of America: Stillwater, Minnesota Stillwater, New York Stillwater, Oklahoma Stillwater is the name of several rivers, see Stillwater River. ... Official language(s) None Capital Oklahoma City Largest city Oklahoma City Area  Ranked 20th  - Total 69,960 sq. ... Oklahoma State University Logo The Oklahoma State University System comprises of five educational instututes across Oklahoma. ... Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ...

A Pulitzer Prize winning photographic sequence by Des Moines Register cameramen Don Ultang and John Robinson clearly showed that Smith's vicious, and most likely racially motivated, jaw breaking blow to Bright had occurred well after Bright had handed off the ball to a Drake teammate, and that the blow was delivered well behind the play. The photographic sequence of the incident was widely disseminated, and later made the cover of Life Magazine. The gold medal awarded for Public Service in Journalism The Pulitzer Prize is an American award regarded as the highest honor in print journalism, literary achievements, and musical compositions. ... The Des Moines Register is the daily morning newspaper of Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States. ... John Robinson and Don Ultang were the 1952 Pulitzer Prize winner for Spot News Photography For their sequence of 6 pictures of the Drake-Oklahoma A & M football game of October 20, 1951, in which player Johnny Brights jaw was broken. ... Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ... A cover of Life Magazine from 1911 Life has been the name of two notable magazines published in the United States. ...

Because of the incident and because both Oklahoma A&M and the Missouri Valley Conference refused to take any disciplinary action against Smith, Drake University (along with fellow Conference member Bradley University) withdrew from the Conference for several years. The "Johnny Bright Incident," as it became known, brought about changes in collegiate football rules regarding blocking, and also required the use of more protective helmets with face guards. Oklahoma State University Logo The Oklahoma State University System comprises of five educational instututes across Oklahoma. ... The Missouri Valley Conference (also called MVC or simply The Valley) is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States. ... Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ... The Missouri Valley Conference (also called MVC or simply The Valley) is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States. ... Bradley University is a private, co-educational university located in Peoria, Illinois. ... The Missouri Valley Conference (also called MVC or simply The Valley) is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States. ...

Bright's jaw injury limited his effectiveness for the remainder of his senior season at Drake, but he finished his collegiate career with 5,983 yards in total offense, averaging better than 236 yards per game in total offense, and scored 384 points in 25 games. As a senior, Bright earned 70 percent of the yards Drake gained and scored 70 percent of the Bulldogs' points, despite missing the better part of the final three games of the season. Bright finished fifth in the balloting for the 1951 Heisman Trophy, and played in the post-season East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl. Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ... Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ... The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award (also known simply as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman), named after former college football player and coach John W. Heisman, is considered the most prestigious award in American college football. ... The East-West Shrine Game is an annual post-season college football all-star game played each January since 1926. ... The Hula Bowl is an independently administered post-season invitational college football game held each year in Hawaii, currently at Aloha Stadium in the Hālawa district of Honolulu. ...

Professional football career

Bright was the first pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 1952 National Football League draft. Bright spurned the NFL, electing to play for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. Bright was the first, first-round NFL draft pick to bypass the NFL for the CFL. City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Other nicknames The Birds, The Iggles Team colors Midnight Green, Black, Silver, and White Head Coach Andy Reid Owner Jeffrey Lurie General manager Tom Heckert Fight song Fly, Eagles Fly Mascot Swoop Local radio Flagship stations: WYSP (94. ... The National Football League (NFL) is the largest professional American football league, consisting of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions. ... NFL logo For other uses of the abbreviation NFL, see NFL (disambiguation). ... This article is for the CFL football team. ... The Canadian Football League (CFL), also known by its French name, Ligue canadienne de football (LCF), is a professional league located entirely in Canada that plays Canadian football. ... NFL logo For other uses of the abbreviation NFL, see NFL (disambiguation). ... NFL logo For other uses of the abbreviation NFL, see NFL (disambiguation). ... The Canadian Football League (CFL), also known by its French name, Ligue canadienne de football (LCF), is a professional league located entirely in Canada that plays Canadian football. ...

Bright joined the Calgary Stampeders as a fullback/linebacker in 1952, leading the Stampeders and the CFL Western Conference in rushing with 815 yards his rookie season. Bright played fullback/linebacker with the Stampeders for the 1952, 1953, and part of the 1954 seasons. In 1954, the Calgary Stampeders dealt Bright to the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos in a mid-season trade. Bright would enjoy the most success of his professional football career as a member of the Edmonton Eskimos. This article is for the CFL football team. ... Most football games include a position called fullback or full back. ... A linebacker is a position in American and Canadian football. ... // Canadian Football News in 1952 The Canadian Rugby Union received television revenue for the first time when it was paid $7,500 by CBC for the rights to televise the Grey Cup game. ... This article is for the CFL football team. ... The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. ... Most football games include a position called fullback or full back. ... A linebacker is a position in American and Canadian football. ... This article is for the CFL football team. ... // Canadian Football News in 1952 The Canadian Rugby Union received television revenue for the first time when it was paid $7,500 by CBC for the rights to televise the Grey Cup game. ... // Canadian Football News in 1953 The Canadian Rugby Union was paid in total of $20,500 by three television stations for the rights to show the Grey Cup game live. ... // Canadian Football News in 1954 The B.C. Lions joined the WIFU and adopted the colours of burnt orange and brown. ... // Canadian Football News in 1954 The B.C. Lions joined the WIFU and adopted the colours of burnt orange and brown. ... This article is for the CFL football team. ... The Canadian Football League (CFL), also known by its French name, Ligue canadienne de football (LCF), is a professional league located entirely in Canada that plays Canadian football. ... The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian Football League team based in Edmonton, Alberta. ... The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian Football League team based in Edmonton, Alberta. ...

Though Bright played strictly defense as a linebacker in his first year with the Eskimos (1954), he played both offense (as a fullback/quarterback) and defense for two seasons (1955-56), and played offense (fullback) permanently after that (1957-64). Bright, along with stand out Eskimo teammates Rollie Miles, Normie Kwong, and Jackie Parker, helped lead the Edmonton Eskimos to successive Grey Cup titles in 1954, 1955, and 1956 (where Bright rushed for a Grey Cup record 171 yards in a 50-27 triumph over the Montreal Alouettes). In 1957, Bright rushed for eight consecutive 100-yard games, finishing the season with 1,679 yards. In 1958, Bright rushed for 1,722 yards. In 1959, following his third straight season as the CFL's rushing leader with 1,340 yards, Bright won the CFL's Outstanding Player Award, the first African-American or African-Canadian athlete to be so honored. A linebacker is a position in American and Canadian football. ... The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian Football League team based in Edmonton, Alberta. ... // Canadian Football News in 1954 The B.C. Lions joined the WIFU and adopted the colours of burnt orange and brown. ... Most football games include a position called fullback or full back. ... Joe Montana, an American quaterback. ... // Canadian Football News in 1955 The IRFU allowed the third place team to qualify for a playoff berth. ... // Canadian Football News in 1956 On Sunday, January 22nd, the Canadian Football Council was formed in Winnipeg and the national negotiation list was introduced. ... Most football games include a position called fullback or full back. ... // Canadian Football News in 1957 The Canadian Football Council (CFC) allowed interference to be legal up to third 5-yard stripe by eligible blockers. ... The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian Football League team based in Edmonton, Alberta. ... His Honour The Honourable Norman Kwong, CM, né Lim Kwong Yew, (林佐民, pinyin: Lín Zuǒmín) (born 1929 in Calgary, Alberta) is a former professional athlete and is the current Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. ... Jackie Parker (b. ... The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian Football League team based in Edmonton, Alberta. ... Then Prime Minister Joe Clark presents the 1979 Grey Cup to victorious Edmonton Eskimos Danny Kepley and Tom Wilkinson. ... Then Prime Minister Joe Clark presents the 1979 Grey Cup to victorious Edmonton Eskimos Danny Kepley and Tom Wilkinson. ... The Montreal Alouettes (French, Alouettes de Montréal) are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec. ... // Canadian Football News in 1957 The Canadian Football Council (CFC) allowed interference to be legal up to third 5-yard stripe by eligible blockers. ... // CFL News in 1958 The Canadian Football Council (CFC) withdrew from the Canadian Rugby Union (CRU) to become a separate entity. ... // Regular season Final regular season standings Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = Points Bold text means that they have clinched the playoffs. ... The Canadian Football League (CFL), also known by its French name, Ligue canadienne de football (LCF), is a professional league located entirely in Canada that plays Canadian football. ... The Outstanding Player Award is annually rewarded to the best player in the Canadian Football League. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... Black Canadian is a term used to identify a Canadian of African descent. ...

Bright retired in 1964 as the CFL's all-time leading rusher (Mike Pringle and George Reed have since surpassed him). Bright rushed for 10,909 yards in 13 seasons, had five consecutive 1,000 yard seasons, and led the CFL in rushing four times. Bright had a record thirty-six 100-plus-yard games, carrying the ball 200 or more times for five straight seasons. Bright led the CFL Western Conference in rushing four times, winning the Eddie James Memorial Trophy in the process, and was a CFL Western Conference All-Star five straight seasons from 1957 to 1961. Bright played in 197 consecutive CFL games as a linebacker/fullback. Bright's #24 jersey was retired by the Edmonton Eskimos in 1983, and currently hangs on the Wall of Honour at the Eskimos' Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame on November 26, 1970. The Canadian Football League (CFL), also known by its French name, Ligue canadienne de football (LCF), is a professional league located entirely in Canada that plays Canadian football. ... Mike Pringle (b. ... George Reed was a professional Canadian football player in the Canadian Football League. ... The Canadian Football League (CFL), also known by its French name, Ligue canadienne de football (LCF), is a professional league located entirely in Canada that plays Canadian football. ... The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. ... The Eddie James Memorial Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, awarded to the leading rusher in the West Division. ... The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. ... // Canadian Football News in 1957 The Canadian Football Council (CFC) allowed interference to be legal up to third 5-yard stripe by eligible blockers. ... The 1961 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 8th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 4th Canadian Football League season. ... The Canadian Football League (CFL), also known by its French name, Ligue canadienne de football (LCF), is a professional league located entirely in Canada that plays Canadian football. ... The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian Football League team based in Edmonton, Alberta. ... The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian Football League team based in Edmonton, Alberta. ... The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian Football League team based in Edmonton, Alberta. ... Commonwealth Stadium is the name of two stadiums: Commonwealth Stadium - Edmonton, Alberta Commonwealth Stadium - University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... More than one place has the name Edmonton. ... Motto: Fortis et liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English Flower Wild rose Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ralph Klein (PC) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total  - Land  - Water    (% of total)  Ranked 6th 661,848 km² 642,317 km² 19... The Canadian Football Hall of Fame officially opened as a museum to dedicate football in Canada on November 28, 1972. ... November 26 is the 330th day (331st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ...

Post-football career

Bright earned a bachelor's degree in education at Drake University in 1952, putting his degree to use as a teacher and school administrator, both during and after his CFL career, eventually becoming the principal of D.S. Mackenzie Junior High School in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Bright became a Canadian citizen in 1962. Drake University is a private, co-educational college located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ... The Canadian Football League (CFL), also known by its French name, Ligue canadienne de football (LCF), is a professional league located entirely in Canada that plays Canadian football. ... More than one place has the name Edmonton. ... Motto: Fortis et liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English Flower Wild rose Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ralph Klein (PC) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total  - Land  - Water    (% of total)  Ranked 6th 661,848 km² 642,317 km² 19...

Death

Bright died of a massive heart attack on December 14, 1983, at a hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, while undergoing elective surgery to correct a football knee injury. He was survived by his wife and three children. December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... More than one place has the name Edmonton. ... Motto: Fortis et liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English Flower Wild rose Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ralph Klein (PC) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total  - Land  - Water    (% of total)  Ranked 6th 661,848 km² 642,317 km² 19...

Bright is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Holy Cross Cemetery is located at 5835 W. Slauson Avenue in Culver City, California. ... More than one place has the name Edmonton. ... Motto: Fortis et liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English Flower Wild rose Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ralph Klein (PC) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total  - Land  - Water    (% of total)  Ranked 6th 661,848 km² 642,317 km² 19...

External links

• The Johnny Bright Incident - 50 Years Forgotten by Ted Soutar

• Drake Heritage Collection - The Johnny Bright Story