|
The Ubangi Blackhawks were a predominantly
black semipro football team in Seattle who played for the Community
League in 1937. Sponsored by nightclub owner Russell "Noodles" Smith, who
was said to be present for every game, the team was also helped by Bruce
Rowell who looked after the team's financial and physical health.
Ted Williams was also a financial backer.
Coming over from the
Italian Club were all-city end Brennan King, all-city halfback Sam
Bruce, all-city halfback Dan Allen, 3-time all-city guard John Burton,
and hardest-hitting fullback George Height. Paul Chappell joined
from Uptown Club, and most of the recent Garfield High Championship
stars.
In 1937 the Blackhawks were considered the most sensational team in the
league, and during this time the community rallied behind such players
as George "Switchy" Height, Rhino Nakamura, Brennan King, and Joe Staton.
The Blackhawks played the first six games of the season without allowing a
single score, and this led many to think they were unstoppable. There
was some question as to whether the nightlife of some of the players and
internal dissent among the team would sabotage their season, after they
were upset by the National Guardsmen in the seventh game of the season.
There were no such misgivings after the Blackhawks came back and beat
the National Guard 13-0 in the league finals; they won the Community
League football title. After the game Brennan King was awarded the
James Scavotto trophy, which he promptly gave to "Noodles" Smith.
The Blackhawks were so popular at this time that after their league
finals game the New Enterprise claimed "that there will not be another
performance of any kind in the near future that will draw the number of
colored fans that the Ubangi championship game did."
Feb, 25th, 1938 the Northwest Enterprise announced that Feb 27th the
Ubangi Club would close following the sale of the Hotel which housed it.
Brennan King would appear in games with the
Renton Rams in 1937 and in 1938 he and Sam Bruce would help Leon
Brigham win the 1938 Northwest Championship with the
West Seattle Yellowjackets.
Sam Bruce and Brennan King, attached at the hip, would both leave for
North Carolina A&T in 1939 and in 1940 Sammy would volunteer to become a
pilot at Tuskegee Institute, Alabama. He would be one of the first
black pilots killed in action in 1944.
Bruce Rowell would rekindle the team as the Black and Tan Blackhawks for
the 1938 season, with Ernie Lewis as captain, the 1937 league scoring
champion.
Players: Otis Reese (E), Roger Robinson (T), Joe Staton (G), "Snoop" Al
Smith (C), Reino Nakamura (G), Bill Dozier (T), Ernie Lewis (E), Paul
Chappell (QB), Danny Allen (HB), Jack Tanner (HB), George "Switchy"
Height (FB), Arlen Wilson (C), Willie "Skillet" Stockard (HB), Rex
Rector (HB), Chubby Simmons (L), Harry Earls (L), Brady Watts (L), Hank
Allen (L), Charlie Winston (L)
The team struggled without their star backs, and ended the season 2-6-1.
In a bizarre coincidence, in March of 1939, once again the team sponsor,
this time the Black and Tan Cabaret closed its doors.
Danny Allen, Willie Stockard, Charlie Winston, Jack Tanner, Paul
Chappell, Hank Allen, Carl Bently ('37) and Bob Flowers ('37) would be
selected to play for the 160lb Brown
Bombers
|
1937 Schedule/Results (5-2-2): |
|
