Harold Bradley Sr.
| Date of birth | September 7, 1905 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Coffeyville, Kansas |
| Date of death | 1973 |
| Place of death | Chicago |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Guard |
| College | Iowa |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1928 | Chicago Cardinals |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
| Career stats | |
|
|
Harold "Hal" Willard Bradley Sr. (September 27, 1905 – 1973) was an American football player for the Chicago Cardinals in 1928. Bradley was one of only 13 African-Americans to play in the National Football League prior to World War II and just the second African-American lineman in the history of the NFL, following Duke Slater. He played collegiately at the University of Iowa in 1926 and was the father of Harold Bradley Jr., who also played in the NFL.
Harold Willard Bradley, more commonly known as "Hal", was born in Coffeyville, Kansas, in 1905. He was the son of Arthur Bradley, a Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad barber, and his wife, Mamie. Hal Bradley moved with his family to Chicago when he was a boy, and he was raised in Chicago's West Woodlawn neighborhood on the city's south side. He attended Englewood High School and was named all-state as a member of the school's football team. Upon graduation, Bradley enrolled at the University of Iowa.
Bradley attended the University of Iowa in 1926 and joined the football team. Following in the footsteps of Iowa's Duke Slater, Bradley became one of the few African-Americans playing college football at the time. Although he never earned a varsity letter at Iowa, Bradley's athletic participation at the University of Iowa helped the school create a reputation as a "safe haven" for black athletes. Bradley left the University of Iowa before graduation after being offered a job as a postal carrier.
Duke Slater took notice of Bradley when Bradley was playing football for the University of Iowa. In 1928, Slater encouraged his Chicago Cardinals team to give Bradley a shot at a roster spot, and Bradley made the team. Hal Bradley started one game for the Chicago Cardinals in 1928 and played in two games, which made him the second black lineman in NFL history, after Slater himself.
...
Wikipedia