Hall of Fame

Charlie "Choo-Choo" Brackins

  • Class
  • Induction
    2003
  • Sport(s)
    Football
  • Prairie View A&M
  • Charlie “Choo-Choo” Brackins (born January 12, 1932 in Dallas, Texas; died June 1, 1991) was an American football quarterback who made history as one of the first African-American quarterbacks to play in the NFL.
  • He played his college football for Prairie View A&M University from 1951 to 1955, where he led the Panthers to 33 victories in 37 games in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
  • In the 1955 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers selected him in the 16th round (185th overall), making him the first HBCU alumnus to play quarterback in the NFL.
  • He appeared in one game during the 1955 season (on October 23 vs. the Cleveland Browns) where he completed two passes, and his professional career ended shortly thereafter.
  • His legacy remains significant for breaking barriers for Black quarterbacks at both the collegiate and professional levels.