Cookie Gilchrist, Rest In Peace

Cookie Gilchrist, former Buffalo Bills running back, has passed away at the age of 75. As Dave Zirin notes, in 1965 Gilchrist "led an African American boycott of the [American Football League] All Star game, which was to be played in New Orleans. In 1965, an informal Jim Crow system ruled the Crescent city and African American players talked among themselves about their inability to get cabs, be served in restaurants, or stay at certain hotels. Gilchrist organized all 22 African American All-Pros to approach AFL commissioner Joe Foss and make clear that unless the game was moved, they wouldn't be playing. White players also announced that they would stand in support of their Black teammates. Foss had no choice but to accede to their demands, and moved the game to Houston's Jeppesen Stadium."