Charles Fremont West
| Charles Fremont "Pruner" West | |
|---|---|
"Pruner" West in 1922
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| Born | January 25, 1899 Washington, Pennsylvania |
| Died | November 20, 1979 Washington, D.C. |
| Residence | Alexandria, Virginia |
| Alma mater | Washington & Jefferson College |
| Occupation | physician |
| Known for | athlete, medical doctor |
| Spouse(s) | Laverne Gregory |
| Children | Linda West Nickens, Nathaniel West |
| College football career | |
| Washington & Jefferson Presidents | |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Career history | |
| College | Washington & Jefferson (1920–1923) |
| Bowl games | Rose Bowl (1922) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Charles Fremont "Pruner" West (January 25, 1899 – 1979) was an American track star, football player, and respected medical doctor. He was the first African American to play quarterback in a Rose Bowl.
West was born in 1899 to William B. and Hannah Thomas from Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was the third of four children. The family moved from their farm in Burgettstown to Washington, Pennsylvania in 1911. West's father opened a drug store that later was turned into a grocery store and was elected to Washington City Council. West's nickname, Pruner, came from a mispronunciation of "Peruna" a cough syrup sold by his father. Charles was an outstanding athlete at Washington High School and was scouted by Pittsburgh Pirates. Rumors circulated that he had outraced a horse and wrestled the family bull to the ground.
In 1920, he entered Washington & Jefferson College, where he played football and threw javelin for the track and field team. He was captain of track team in 1924. At the time, he was one of a few African-American players in private colleges.
In 1921, he was the halfback and the backup quarterback for the Washington & Jefferson football team, but took over the starting quarterback job after the game against University of Pittsburgh, a position he would hold the rest of the season. That following January, he became the first African American quarterback to play in the Rose Bowl and led his team to a hard-fought 0-0 tie against the California Golden Bears.
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