Keeping the Dream
Alive
Willie Thrower blazed a trail as the first Black quarterback in the modern NFL. After football he continued to break barriers through service, entrepreneurship and an award created to inspire the next generation.
Life After Football
After making history on the gridiron, Willie Thrower answered another call. He served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, exemplifying the same courage and leadership that defined his time at Michigan State and with the Chicago Bears.
Returning home, Thrower dedicated himself to his community. He worked as a social worker, mentored young people and eventually became an entrepreneur, opening his own appliance repair and sales business in the Chicago area. His post‑football life showed that breaking barriers was not a one‑time act but a lifelong commitment.
Willie Thrower's story reminds us that greatness extends far beyond statistics. Service, compassion and perseverance defined the way he lived, inspiring generations long after his final snap.
Photo: Pexels (illustrative)
The Willie Thrower Award
In 2020, the Willie Thrower Award Foundation created an annual award for the top quarterback in the Pittsburgh region — celebrating skill, leadership and the barrier‑breaking spirit that Willie embodied.
Photo: Pexels (illustrative)
The Willie Thrower Award honours the most outstanding high school quarterback in western Pennsylvania. It recognizes not only athletic performance but also leadership, academic achievement and character — the qualities that defined Thrower's own journey. Past recipients have gone on to excel at the college level and credit the award with inspiring them to reach higher.
The award is presented each year in New Kensington, Thrower's hometown, and serves as both a celebration of the local football community and a remembrance of Willie’s trailblazing legacy. The Foundation also runs essay contests, community events and educational programs to continue his mission.
To learn more about the award process, past winners or to support the Foundation’s work, visit the official site at williethrowerawardfdn.org.