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Walter Beach
Walter Beach, III (born January 31, 1933) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas.
Beach grew up in Pontiac, Michigan and attended Pontiac Central High School, where he was a member of the varsity football, basketball, and track teams, and reportedly held the state record in the 100- and 200- yard dashes. He also played American Legion baseball.
Following high school, he served for four years in the U.S. Air Force, three of them spent in Germany.
Beach encountered much racism in his hometown and in the Air Force. He later said, "I remember my Air Force drill instructor telling me, 'If you hit every white man who calls you [the "N-word"], you won’t have any fists left.' This made me realize there are other ways to fight."
After completion of his military service, Beach attended Central Michigan University from 1956 to 1960, graduating in 1960 with a bachelor's degree in sociology.
He played college football for four years there, as a member of the offense. He led the team in both rushing and pass reception in his sophomore and junior years, the 1957 and 1958 seasons. Over four years he rushed for a total of 2,968 yards and caught 62 passes for 928 yards. Each of those three statistics set a Central Michigan record, as did his yards of total offense and his 1957 single-season rushing yardage, 1,084. Among numerous other honors, Beach was named first-team all-conference in 1957 and 1958, Central Michigan's most valuable player in 1958 and 1959, and AP All-American in 1959. He was inducted into the university's Hall of Fame in 1985.
Beach was the only African-American player on the team. He later praised the team's (white) coach, Kenneth Kelly, as "a man" for refusing to accept racism aimed at Beach. For example, Beach said, when the team was on the road and a hotel refused to provide accommodation for Beach because of his skin color, Kelly told the hotel and the team, "In that case, all of us are sleeping on the team bus tonight."
In addition to playing football, Beach also ran track for Central Michigan, tying the school record in the 100-yard dash.
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Walter Beach
Walter Beach, III (born January 31, 1933) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas.
Beach grew up in Pontiac, Michigan and attended Pontiac Central High School, where he was a member of the varsity football, basketball, and track teams, and reportedly held the state record in the 100- and 200- yard dashes. He also played American Legion baseball.
Following high school, he served for four years in the U.S. Air Force, three of them spent in Germany.
Beach encountered much racism in his hometown and in the Air Force. He later said, "I remember my Air Force drill instructor telling me, 'If you hit every white man who calls you [the "N-word"], you won’t have any fists left.' This made me realize there are other ways to fight."
After completion of his military service, Beach attended Central Michigan University from 1956 to 1960, graduating in 1960 with a bachelor's degree in sociology.
He played college football for four years there, as a member of the offense. He led the team in both rushing and pass reception in his sophomore and junior years, the 1957 and 1958 seasons. Over four years he rushed for a total of 2,968 yards and caught 62 passes for 928 yards. Each of those three statistics set a Central Michigan record, as did his yards of total offense and his 1957 single-season rushing yardage, 1,084. Among numerous other honors, Beach was named first-team all-conference in 1957 and 1958, Central Michigan's most valuable player in 1958 and 1959, and AP All-American in 1959. He was inducted into the university's Hall of Fame in 1985.
Beach was the only African-American player on the team. He later praised the team's (white) coach, Kenneth Kelly, as "a man" for refusing to accept racism aimed at Beach. For example, Beach said, when the team was on the road and a hotel refused to provide accommodation for Beach because of his skin color, Kelly told the hotel and the team, "In that case, all of us are sleeping on the team bus tonight."
In addition to playing football, Beach also ran track for Central Michigan, tying the school record in the 100-yard dash.