Marion Motley, portrait of a champion
by Chad Hartley, Outpost contributor
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Running back Marion Motley, 1940-42, is considered the most prominent athlete to compete at Nevada and one of the best ever to play in the National Football League.
In 1995, when the NFL compiled its 75th anniversary all-time team, it named Motley one of the top 50 players. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame after a career with the Cleveland Browns.
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Marion Motley poses in full flight. Photo courtesy of Nevada Athletics Department |
In 1940, he and the Wolf Pack headed north to the University of Idaho to play the Vandals. As the Nevada squad warmed up on the field shortly before kickoff, Idaho coach Ted Bank called Pack coach Jim Aiken and Motley over to Idaho's side of the field. Bank quickly explained to Aiken and Motley why he wanted to see them.
"That boy can't play in the game," Bank said.
Aiken flew into a rage, cussing out the Idaho coach for his racist remark. Motley calmly picked up his coach in a bear hug and carried him back to other side of the field.
After Aiken relaxed, he instructed Motley to gather the team together.
"Marion, go over there and tell everybody to come back," he told his star running back. "Let's go home."
Bank had overheard Aiken's order and replied," Wait a minute. Can't we make a compromise?"
"Hell, no!" Aiken fired back at Bank.
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Motley, on far right, hangs on to the ball and his helmet. Photo courtesy of Nevada Athletics Department |
"The thing is, we lost six to zero," Motley said. "And when I went in, the first time I got the ball I scored a touchdown. But it was called back. The second time I ran, it was a huge run to the 5-yard line and it was called back, too."
Motley endured racism at the professional level, too. The running back helped the Cleveland Browns to a 87-12-4 record between 1946-1953. But it was another collegiate incident, this one in 1941, that foreshadowed a premature ending to Motley's career.
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"I just wanted to be treated the way I treated others." Star running back Marion Motley |
"I remember how it happened because I had to play stiff-legged the rest of the year," Motley said. "After the play was over I went over to the ref. This kid came out of nowhere and hit me in my knee as hard as he could. It pushed all the way backward and hampered me from that point on, even when I was in the pros."
Despite the attacks against Motley, he continued acting in a classy and professional manner throughout his career.
"I just wanted to be treated the way I treated others," he said. "I never played dirty unless it was done to me first, and it was more to let them know that I wouldn't put up with anything. And I would always speak up if I had to, but I just wanted to play football."
Posted Dec. 2,
1998
Copyright 1998 Nevada Outpost
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