By Dawn Scotland
The Truth Reporter
Tom Cole, the renowned Toledo sportscaster, held an ‘An Evening with Tom Cole’ a question-and-answer session and book signing October 17 at the Lourdes University Franciscan Center. Cole discussed his new and fourth book Black in the Pocket: African American Quarterbacks That Changed the Face of American Football.
His latest work is dedicated to all the African American Quarterbacks who persevered and struggled in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s to create a level and fairer playing field that exists today in pro football for Black quarterbacks. (Source: www.authorhouse.com) In his book, Cole details the discrimination many Black athletes faced to break barriers in American football. Cole gives his detailed insight into the careers of local to national players including Chuck Ealey, Doug Williams and more.
“The history of quarterbacks in pro football is that if you were an African American, and you were a quarterback, the first thing the coach said to you most times when you got to the NFL was “You’re a really great athlete BUT. There was always a but…. You’re a really great athlete BUT– you’re going to be a wide receiver, defensive back or a running back. Not even giving them the opportunity to show what they could do,” he stated.
The reality is that for a large stretch of sports history Blacks couldn’t become quarterback. That continued in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Doug Williams was noted to be the first African American to start in and win a Superbowl in 1988 breaking the ceiling for many. Cole shares this story, “From that point – no one could ever say that an African American quarterback could not lead a team and win a Superbowl. That stopped it. That took a long time. Now today it’s where it should be.”
While Cole highlights the triumphs and success stories of Black athletes, he also uses his book and his platform to underscore those Black athletes who were overlooked and never received their just due.
“We all stand on other people’s shoulders. How many people do you know that did great things, but they didn’t really get recognized for it… but people stood on their shoulders. To me, this was kind of an homage to all these gentlemen that fought this fight and maybe didn’t get recognized. This is my little way of recognizing them,” he shared.
A signed copy of the book and refreshments were included in the event as well as a mix-and-mingle opportunity to meet the author.
This event was coordinated through a community partnership by Lourdes University, Starlite Theater Group, Finch & Fern Book Co., and Red Bird Sylvania and sponsored by Taylor Automotive Family.
To learn more or purchase the book go to Amazon.com , Barnes and Noble or anywhere books are sold.
About the Author: Tom Cole
Tom Cole was the first quarterback at St. John’s Jesuit High School. He played quarterback at Ohio Wesleyan University and majored in History with a minor in English. He taught and coached in High School and college. In football he coached quarterbacks and was offensive coordinator. He also was a TV Sports Broadcaster on Buckeye Cable and the Buckeye Cable Sports Network for 26 years, broadcasting MAC Football and Basketball on BCSN and ESPN III. He also did over 10,000 interviews on the BCSN Network. He is currently the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Taylor Automotive Family. Cole is also in the City of Toledo Athletic Hall of Fame and the St. John’s Jesuit High School Hall of Fame. Cole has won 7 Ohio Cable TV Broadcast Awards, plus he was named MVP at BCSN. Black in the Pocket is his fourth sports book. Tomcole1717@gmail.com 419-870-1931