Irv Cross, 81, died in his home near Roseville, Minnesota, Sunday night. The cause of death has not yet been provided. The former Pro Bowl defensive back became the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television.
Michigan and Northwestern will begin playing this season for the George Jewett Trophy, a new football rivalry trophy that honors the first Black player in Big Ten history, who competed for both teams in the 1890s. The Jewett Trophy becomes the first rivalry trophy in the FBS named for a former Black player. Jewett played fullback and halfback at Michigan in 1890 and 1892, then played two more seasons for Northwestern while completing his medical degree.
Follow on Twitter Michigan and Northwestern will begin playing for the George Jewett Trophy this upcoming season, a new rivalry trophy that honors the first Black player in Big Ten history, who competed for both teams in the 1890s. The Jewett Trophy becomes the first rivalry trophy in the FBS named for a former Black player. Jewett played fullback and halfback at Michigan in 1890 and 1892, and then played two more seasons for Northwestern while completing his medical degree.