#5: William Henry Lewis

William Henry Lewis isn’t a household name, but maybe he should be. He was a pioneer in athletics, politics, and law. Born in 1868 in Virginia, he overcame all the odds and barriers to become one of the first African-American college football players. He attended Amherst College, where his fellow teammates voted to name him team captain in 1891. 

After Amherst, William attended Harvard Law, where he continued to play football. He was the first African-American player to be chosen as an All-American player. William’s leadership skills continued to take him to new heights after he played college football. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1901 and served as the United States’ first Black Assistant Attorney General in 1910.