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He first came to my attention when I saw his prowess on the gridiron at the
University of Michigan. He made it and I didn't. He was really good and played not only exceptionally well at Ann Arbor but very well for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I have known Lowell over a period of time since then. I have
405:
Perry's highest single-game total came against
Indiana in 1951, with five catches for 165 yards. He had two additional touchdown catches against Indiana in 1952. His 165-yard game against Indiana was the Michigan single-game receiving record for 15 years, until Clancy had 197 yards against Oregon
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536:
After his stint as a television broadcaster, Perry returned to
Chrysler where he became a personnel manager in 1970. In 1973, he was appointed the plant manager of Chrysler's Eldon Avenue Axle Plant in Detroit. He was the first African American to hold the plant manager position at a U.S.
477:
hit him from the side simultaneously, filling the stadium with a sickening 'crack' which silenced the
Steelers' faithful. I will never forget my sadness as the stretcher carried my new hero from the field. Perry's pelvis was fractured, his hip dislocated and he never played pro football
468:
A skinny 15 year-old boy and his dad were cheering the
Pittsburgh Steelers new rookie star, Lowell Perry as he roared whippet-like around the New York Giants' fabled 1956 defensive line and headed full-throttle for the open field. The boy's cheers turned to tears when Giants' star,
365:. He attended Ypsilanti High School where he was a standout multi-sport athlete. Perry lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track during his high school career. At age 16, he helped lead the Ypsilanti High School football team to the Class B state championship.
553:
always looked at his career, both in
Government and with private employment, as an example of what a person can do who has got ability and the desire and the dedication. I think it's, in this instance, Government's gain to have Lowell with us, and
394:. He was considered as the best defensive back in college football during the 1951 season, and was also selected by the Associated Press as a first-team All-Big Ten Player and by the United Press as a first-team player on its All-Midwest team.
385:
team from 1950 to 1952. Perry was a two-way player who played end on offense and safety on defense and also handled punt returns for the
Wolverines. After the 1951 season, he was selected as a second-team All-American by the
397:
In three seasons for
Michigan, Perry had 71 receptions for 1,261 yards and nine touchdowns. Perry's three-year career total of 1,261 receiving yards was not exceeded by another Michigan player for a decade until
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In his sixth regular season game, Perry sustained a fractured pelvis and dislocated hip that forced his retirement. Football writer Mark A. Latterman later wrote about witnessing Perry's career-ending injury:
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Perry was hospitalized at
Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital for 13 weeks after the injury. In June 1957, the Steelers hired Perry as the team's ends coach, making him the NFL's first African American coach since
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in 1920. Perry was the youngest of four children. He grew up in
Ypsilanti, where his father maintained a dental practice and was a respected civic leader. As a youth, Perry joined the
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Division of General Motors in the personnel department of the gear and axle division. In 1962, he left Chevrolet to prosecute unfair labor practice charges for the
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In 1956, Perry joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as an end. On his first play for the Steelers, Perry ran 93 yards for a touchdown in a pre-season game against the
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1165:"The American Presidency Project: Gerald R. Ford: Remarks at the Swearing In of Lowell W. Perry as Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission"
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to broadcast Steelers games alongside play-by-play man Joe Tucker. He was the first African-American to broadcast an NFL game to a national audience.
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456:. In his first six NFL games, Perry totaled 14 catches for 334 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yard touchdown catch against the
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843:(statistics may be retrieved by entering "Career" "Receiving" and "Yards" in the menu selections for "Individual Statistical Leaders")
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870:(Perry's career and game statistics can be retrieved by entering his first and last name under "Display Career For Given Athlete")
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appointed him as the director of the Office of Urban Programs, a position that he held until his retirement in April 1999.
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He served as EEOC commissioner until 1976. Perry resigned from the EEOC after one year and returned to Chrysler.
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in the 1920s. He worked as a scout for the Steelers in 1958. While working for the Steelers, Perry went to the
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548:. At the ceremony in which Perry was sworn in, President Ford spoke and made the following comments:
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Perry graduated from the University of Michigan where he studied history and played football for the
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1025:"Remembering the Steelers Lowell Perry, the First African-American Coach in Modern NFL History"
507:(the Michigan Wolverines' quarterback from 1909 to 1910). In 1961, he accepted a job with the
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Perry also returned 42 punts at Michigan for 351 yards, an average of 10.9 yards per return.
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437:. While serving in the Air Force, Perry played on the Bolling Air Force Team that included
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Perry was married in January 1954 and had a daughter and two sons, one of whom is former
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325:(NFL), the first African American to broadcast an NFL game to a national audience, and
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player and coach, government official, businessman, and broadcaster. He was the first
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329:'s first African-American plant manager. He was appointed as chairman of the federal
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probably is losing one of his very finest young people in his Chrysler organization.
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337:, holding that position from 1975 to 1976. He later served as the director of the
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1223:(Press release). Michigan Office of the Governor. April 2, 1999. Archived from
460:. Perry also returned 11 punts for 127 yards and nine kickoffs for 219 yards.
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in 1960. That same year, he became a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge
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Walter Johns (December 5, 1951). "2 Coast Players on CP All-American Team".
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353:. His father, Lawrence C. Perry, was a dentist who graduated from the
31:
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Leo H. Peterson (November 28, 1951). "Kazmaier Tops INS "Star" Team".
1000:"African-Americans in Pro Football: Pioneers, Milestones and Firsts"
449:. Perry was named the outstanding football player in the military.
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In 1980 he served on the board of NFL Charities, precursor to the
372:
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Perry returned to government service in 1990 as director of the
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basketball executive and former University of Michigan coach
574:, a position he held for six years. In March 1996, Governor
695:"University of Michigan Football All-American: Lowell Perry"
787:"Argos Sign Lowell Perry: Michigan product highly rated!"
425:. His professional football career was deferred due to
1467:
Chairs of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
402:
totaled 1,917 yards in four years from 1963 to 1966.
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First African-American assistant coach in NFL history
697:. University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library
909:. The Coffin Corner, vol. 16, no. 5. Archived from
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854:"Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page"
827:"Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page"
721:"Lowell Perry, 69, Football Star and Ford Aide"
421:in the eighth round (90th overall pick) of the
1251:Career statistics and player information from
1447:African-American coaches of American football
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1167:. Santa Barbara, CA: University of California
611:University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
8:
1027:. Behind the Steel Curtain. August 25, 2008.
377:Perry (No. 85) eludes opposing players, 1951
313:(December 5, 1931 – January 7, 2001) was an
24:
1132:"50 years of progress in corporate America"
518:In 1963, Perry began a 17-year career with
1537:20th-century African-American sportspeople
1527:Players of American football from Michigan
1522:Coaches of American football from Michigan
1452:African-American state cabinet secretaries
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540:In 1975, Perry was appointed by President
495:Government, broadcast, and business career
473:crunched Perry from behind and linebacker
140: / round: 8 / pick: 90
30:
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978:"Steelers Sign Lowell Perry As End Coach"
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522:. He started as a personnel specialist.
856:. University of Michigan. Archived from
829:. University of Michigan. Archived from
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413:Pittsburgh Steelers and military service
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546:Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
331:Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
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719:Richard Goldstein (January 11, 2001).
597:Perry died of cancer at a hospital in
429:(ROTC) obligations. Perry joined the
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1517:Sportspeople from Ypsilanti, Michigan
1502:State cabinet secretaries of Michigan
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942:"Perry Named Assistant Steeler Coach"
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390:and a third-team All-American by the
7:
1477:Michigan Wolverines football players
1108:Eisenberg, Jeff (January 31, 2007).
769:"Draft Board Kills Perry Argo Hopes"
525:In April 1966, Perry was hired as a
16:American football player (1931–2001)
1482:National Football League announcers
1221:"Lowell Perry Announces Retirement"
804:Ed Sainsbury (November 27, 1951).
14:
1163:John Woolley and Gerhard Peters.
515:, a position he held until 1963.
499:Perry received a law degree from
106:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
1532:Military personnel from Michigan
1507:United States Air Force officers
433:, where he achieved the rank of
427:Reserve Officers' Training Corps
960:"Perry's Injury Termed Serious"
940:Pat Livingston (June 2, 1957).
36:Perry as EEOC Chairman, c. 1975
1487:Pittsburgh Steelers announcers
984:. June 3, 1957. Archived from
639:Monroe Anderson (April 1974).
513:National Labor Relations Board
198:Career highlights and awards
1:
1512:Detroit College of Law alumni
886:. pro-football-reference.com.
1140:. April 1995. Archived from
1089:Al Abrams (April 29, 1966).
806:"UP All Midwest Team Picked"
572:Michigan Department of Labor
383:Michigan Wolverines football
361:organization as well as the
339:Michigan Department of Labor
1497:Pittsburgh Steelers players
1492:Pittsburgh Steelers coaches
1091:"A Former Steeler Recalled"
1002:. Pro Football Hall of Fame
544:to be chairman of the U.S.
1553:
1462:American football safeties
902:Mark A. Latterman (1994).
671:"Lowell Perry 2001 Deaths"
1307:
1186:Jim Natal (Winter 1980).
755:The Lowell Sun (UP story)
740:Long Beach Press-Telegram
417:Perry was drafted by the
388:Central Press Association
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216:Third-team All-American (
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29:
643:. Ebony. pp. 44–48.
323:National Football League
114:190 lb (86 kg)
21:American football player
1095:Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
641:"Big Wheel at Chrysler"
431:United States Air Force
321:assistant coach in the
1457:American football ends
1257:Pro Football Reference
559:
501:Detroit College of Law
480:
378:
369:University of Michigan
363:National Honor Society
355:University of Michigan
1227:on September 27, 2011
1188:"The Sport of Giving"
1144:on September 24, 2015
550:
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359:Boy Scouts of America
252:Career NFL statistics
1114:The Press-Enterprise
982:The Hartford Courant
946:The Pittsburgh Press
810:The Telegraph-Herald
599:Southfield, Michigan
537:automobile company.
333:(EEOC) by President
96:Southfield, Michigan
61:Personal information
1472:Chrysler executives
1294:Pittsburgh Steelers
1045:on October 10, 2006
966:. November 5, 1956.
601:, in January 2001.
489:Duquesne University
419:Pittsburgh Steelers
351:Ypsilanti, Michigan
341:from 1990 to 1996.
311:Lowell Wesley Perry
179:Pittsburgh Steelers
158:Pittsburgh Steelers
79:Ypsilanti, Michigan
26:
1361:Charley Montgomery
1317:John Henry Johnson
1110:"A Dream Deferred"
773:The Calgary Herald
725:The New York Times
379:
349:Perry was born in
119:Career information
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1395:Bob Schneidenbach
1195:Athletic Training
1065:"Lowell W. Perry"
988:on July 17, 2012.
793:. April 14, 1953.
435:second lieutenant
315:American football
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1120:on May 20, 2011.
1116:. Archived from
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1041:. Archived from
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775:. June 12, 1953.
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582:Family and death
458:Cleveland Browns
319:African-American
285:Receiving yards:
258:
145:Career history
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76:December 5, 1931
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1412:Art Marrsaro
1406:Jack Delaney
1389:Ed O' Connor
1379:Jim Williams
1369:John Zachery
1345:Lowell Perry
1344:
1229:. Retrieved
1225:the original
1215:
1203:. Retrieved
1201:(4): 221–223
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392:United Press
380:
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207:All-American
150:As a player:
91:(2001-01-07)
25:Lowell Perry
18:
1442:2001 deaths
1437:1931 births
1392:Ray Correll
1375:Carl Holben
1349:Pat Sarnese
1231:November 7,
1171:November 7,
1148:February 5,
1071:November 7,
1006:November 7,
920:November 7,
864:November 7,
837:November 7,
701:November 7,
592:Scott Perry
576:John Engler
542:Gerald Ford
400:Jack Clancy
345:Early years
335:Gerald Ford
293:Touchdowns:
277:Receptions:
236:NFL records
225:All-Big Ten
223:First-team
205:First-team
171:As a coach:
1431:Categories
1409:Joe Cimini
1398:Vic Hampel
1386:Don Earley
1372:Reed Quinn
1365:Bob O'Neil
1336:Tom Barton
1302:selections
617:References
187:Ends coach
134:NFL draft:
72:1931-12-05
1358:Leo Davis
1332:Bob Gaona
509:Chevrolet
47:Position:
1416:Lou Tepe
1205:July 12,
605:See also
520:Chrysler
439:Al Dorow
327:Chrysler
269:Carries:
128:Michigan
124:College:
1253:NFL.com
111:Weight:
103:Height:
1067:. EEOC
1039:"EEOC"
478:again.
445:, and
98:, U.S.
81:, U.S.
55:Safety
42:No. 41
1191:(PDF)
1137:Ebony
914:(PDF)
907:(PDF)
86:Died:
66:Born:
1233:2011
1207:2023
1173:2011
1150:2007
1073:2011
1051:2007
1008:2011
922:2011
866:2011
839:2011
703:2011
678:2007
529:for
229:1951
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183:1957
162:1956
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51:End
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