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- - - Shelby Football - Beginnings: 1894 - 1906 - - -

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Charles W. Follis

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First Black Professional Football Player

 

 

Charles W. Follis was born January 28, 1878 (or February 3, 1879) to James Henry and Catherine Matilda Flo Anderson Follis in Cloverdale, (a few miles north of Roanoke) Botetourt County, Virginia. James bn 1849 and Catherine bn 1848 were married in Virginia c. 1875. Charles was probably the third born of seven children. The older siblings were: Lelia M. bn c. 1875 and Cora Belle bn 1876. Sister Laura Alice was bn 1880, brother Curtis W. was born in 1884. James was a farm laborer and would soon (c. 1884) move his family to Wooster, Ohio where their sixth child, Walter Joseph was born in 1888 and finally Lucy Jane bn 1890. On arriving in Ohio, Charles continued his education in the Wooster school system, played team sports, organized the high school football program and was elected team captain.

 

Fred Eichinger wrote: “Charles (Follis) was biggest of three brothers, standing at six feet and weighing 200 pounds. Charles’ father was a farm laborer and the boy worked beside him, often from sun up to sun down. Thus was his strength developed. Charles started his professional career with the Wooster Athletic Club in 1898. Although he was paid for his services, he was not under contract.” *

 

After seeing Charles Follis play against his team in 1901, manager Frank C. Schiffer gained his services for the 1902 season. That would be a banner year for Shelby football. Follis and Branch Rickey alternated at half back, Dave Bushey left end, Dubie Weiser and Art Ward at quarter back, giants Bill Harris and Russ Johnson at tackle positions.   Charles' younger brother Curtiss was also a talented ball player who seemed to be following in Charles' footsteps. He sustained a hip injury while playing football on the Wooster High School team in the Fall of 1902. Just a few months before he was to graduate, Curtiss fell sick and died. The cause of death was "catarrah of the stomach" which added to the hip injury was probably responsible for his early death.   Charles was injured playing football for Shelby in the Thankgiving Day game against the Franklin Athletic Club of Cleveland in 1906 and after recovery, never returned to football, but continued to play his favorite sport, baseball, until he died of pneumonia on April 5, 1910. His father died three months later. Charles W. Follis is credited as the first black professional football player in the United States. He, his parents, and four siblings are buried in the Wooster cemetery.

 

 

 

Charles W. Follis Obituary   CHAS. FOLLIS PASSES AWAY ------------------------------------------------------ Well Known Popular Wooster Ball Player Passes Away In Cleveland   Charley Follis, one of the greatest baseball players that ever lived, is dead. Death came in Cleveland Tuesday morning and was the result of pneumonia. Mr. Follis had spent the winter in Cleveland and was again to be a member of the team, the Cuban Giants.   A telegram received here last Friday announced that he was very ill. Walter Follis, a brother, went to his bedside at once. He was reported as getting along all right until Monday evening when a message was received saying that his condition was very grave. His parents, Henry Follis and wife, went to Cleveland on the morning limited. The remains will be brought home for burial.   Charles Follis was aged 31 years. He was brought to Wooster when a small boy and grew to manhood here attending the schools of the city and graduating from High School with the class of 1900. As a boy and a young man Charley Follis was very popular. He was bright in his books and gifted as a singer. He was always a gentleman and had the esteem and respect of all citizens.   Charley Follis as a mere boy had a liking for baseball that grew and was developed by the time he had reached manhood. He excelled as a catcher and to his skill and prowess teams representing Wooster won many victories (Star catcher of the Wooster Trolley League baseball team, and was counted one of the strongest batters in this part of the state).   He was a member of the Colored Knights of Pythias and other secret orders. Many old friends will read of his death with keen regret.   Wooster Republican - April 6, 1910 (abstracted)

 

These Follis graves are in the Wooster, Ohio Cemetery.

 

 

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* "The History of Shelby Football 1894 - 1985", written by Fred Eichinger, published ca. 1986.

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