Willie Evans (running back)
Encyclopedia
Willie Evans was a running back for the University at Buffalo football team
in the late 1950s. In 1958, the Buffalo Bulls refused an offer to play Florida State University
in the Tangerine Bowl
because Evans and backup defensive end Mike Wilson were not welcome to play in Orlando
because they were black. After graduation, Evans was drafted by Ralph Wilson for the inaugural season of the American Football League
's Buffalo Bills
. After his football career, Willie Evans taught in Buffalo area schools for more than 30 years. He coached football, and tennis and swimming, and ran a city parks program for most of that time as well. He currently serves as an adviser for the university's alumni association.
Buffalo Bulls football
The Buffalo Bulls football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University at Buffalo located in the U.S. state of New York. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Mid-American Conference. Buffalo's first...
in the late 1950s. In 1958, the Buffalo Bulls refused an offer to play Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
in the Tangerine Bowl
Capital One Bowl
The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
because Evans and backup defensive end Mike Wilson were not welcome to play in Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
because they were black. After graduation, Evans was drafted by Ralph Wilson for the inaugural season of the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
's Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. After his football career, Willie Evans taught in Buffalo area schools for more than 30 years. He coached football, and tennis and swimming, and ran a city parks program for most of that time as well. He currently serves as an adviser for the university's alumni association.
External links
- "All or Nothing", ESPN.comESPN.comESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
- When Buffalo Declined the 1958 Tangerine Bowl Because of Racism, New York Times, November 15, 2008
- University at Buffalo Alumni Association 2008-09 Board of Directors