Member Biography

Paul Younger started at Grambling at tackle, but it didn't take young coach Eddie Robinson to see that Younger's size and quickness were better suited in the backfield. There, he earned the nickname "Tank" by running over everything that got in front of him. A record setting career in the backfield and at linebacker earned him a spot on the 1948 Pittsburgh Courier All-America team. Tank was the Tiger's leader on offense and defense. As a freshman, he led the nation in scoring with 25 touchdowns, scoring many times on end-around plays. In his junior year, he rushed for 1,207 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. Younger also completed 43 of 73 pass attempts, 11 for touchdowns. His career totals show 60 touchdowns, which at the time was a collegiate record. After his senior season, he was named black college football's Player of the Year. He had a very successful NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers, earning Pro Bowl status five times. He became the first black player to play in an NFL All-Star Game, and after his playing days, went on to become the league's first black assistant general manager in 1975. Younger died September 15, 2001 at Inglewood, California, at age 73.