Jack Spinks

John Robert Spinks (August 15, 1930 – September 29, 1994) was an American professional football player who was a fullback for five seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alcorn A&M Braves (now Alcorn State). He played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Cardinals (1953), Green Bay Packers (1955–1956), and New York Giants (1956–1957).

Spinks is the namesake of Jack Spinks Stadium, home of the Alcorn State Braves.

Biography Early life

John Spinks — known as "Johnny" in his younger years and "Jack" as an adult — was born February 4, 1930, in Toomsuba, Mississippi.

College career

He attended Alcorn A&M College, a historically black school located in Lorman, Mississippi, where he played fullback for the Braves. The Braves would finish the season with a record of 7–1–2, their sole blemishes coming in the season's final three games against strong competition.

Head coach Dwight "Red" Fisher led his charges to another successful season in 1950, finishing with a record of 8–2 while outscoring their opponents 319 points to just 68. Spinks was already being recognized as a potential All-America team prospect, as a "big" 215-pounder "who combines speed and courage with his weight" and who was "hard to stop and a consistent ground gainer."

Alcorn A&M's record of 8 wins and 2 losses would be repeated during Spinks' senior season of 1951, with the team again rattling off seven conference wins before running into trouble late in the season.

Professional career Jack Spinks (#37), was the only African-American player on the 1952 Pittsburgh Steelers squad. Spinks was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) in the 11th round of the 1952 NFL draft, with the team making him the 126th overall selection.

During his 1952 rookie season, Spinks — the only black player on the Pittsburgh roster — was used primarily in a blocking capacity at fullback. Although he saw action in 10 games, starting 3 of them, he carried the ball just 22 times for 94 yards, with his long carry going for a 42 yard gain.