Bernard Eugene Custis
(1928–2017)
Pioneer in Football and Coaching
Introduction: Bernard Eugene Custis, known as Bernie Custis, made history in American and Canadian football as the first black professional quarterback in the modern era. His contributions extended beyond his playing days, as he went on to have a distinguished coaching career. This is the story of Bernie Custis.
Early Life:
- Born on September 23, 1928, in Philadelphia, Bernie Custis graduated from John Bartram High School in Philadelphia in 1947, where he showcased his athletic talents, particularly in track.
College Playing Career at Syracuse:
- Bernie Custis became a star quarterback for the Syracuse Orange football team from 1948 to 1950, setting numerous records that would stand for decades.
- Custis was recruited by Coach Reaves Baysinger and played under Coach Ben Schwartzwalder during his two seasons at Syracuse.
Syracuse Passing Statistics:
- 1948: 721 yards, 52 completions, 131 attempts, 39.7% completion rate, 3 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, passer rating of 72.1
- 1949: 1,121 yards, 70 completions, 134 attempts, 52.2% completion rate, 6 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, passer rating of 123.9
- 1950: 775 yards, 74 completions, 159 attempts, 46.5% completion rate, 3 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, passer rating of 82.3
- Career Totals: 2,617 yards, 196 completions, 424 attempts, 46.2% completion rate, 12 touchdowns, 32 interceptions, passer rating of 97.3
Professional Playing Career:
- In the 1951 NFL draft, Bernie Custis was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the eleventh round.
- He faced the challenge of joining a team with legendary quarterback Otto Graham as the starter and, as the NFL had not had a black quarterback in three decades, faced barriers to becoming a starting quarterback himself.
- The Browns offered Custis an alternative position as a safety, but he declined and was released under the condition that he would not play for another NFL team.
Canadian Football Career:
- Bernie Custis chose to sign with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union (IRFU), which later became part of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
- In 1951, Custis made history by becoming the first black quarterback in Canadian professional football.
- He started every game for Hamilton in 1951, earning a spot on the IRFU All-Star team as a quarterback.
- In 1952, he transitioned to running back and continued to excel for the Tiger-Cats.
- Custis played a pivotal role in Hamilton’s victory in the 1953 Grey Cup, the Canadian pro football championship game, defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Professional Coaching Career:
- After retiring from professional football, Bernie Custis embarked on a teaching career and served as an elementary school principal in Canada.
- He also coached junior level football, including stints with the Oakville Black Knights and Burlington Braves in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).
- From 1973 to 1980, Custis coached at Sheridan College, achieving remarkable success with an 86–14 record and six consecutive Eastern College Championships.
- In 1981, he became the head coach at McMaster University, where he made significant improvements to the team’s standing and earned Coach of the Year honors.
- Custis’s coaching contributions led to his induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1994 as a “builder.”
Highlights and Honors: As a Player:
- IRFU (Canadian League) All-Star in 1951 as a Quarterback.
- IRFU (Canadian League) All-Star in 1954 as a Running Back.
- Part of the 1953 Grey Cup-winning team (Canadian Football Championship).
- Inducted into the Syracuse University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977.
As a Coach:
- All-Star Coach in 1975, 1977, and 1978.
- OUAA Coach of the Year in 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985.
- CIAU Coach of the Year (Frank Tindall Trophy) in 1982.
- Inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
- Honored in the McMaster University Hall of Fame in 2000.
Bernie Custis’s remarkable journey from a pioneering player to a successful coach left an indelible mark on both American and Canadian football, breaking down racial barriers and inspiring future generations in the sport.