No. 99 | |
Born: | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | September 23, 1928
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Died: | February 23, 2017 Burlington, Ontario, Canada | (aged 88)
Career information | |
CFL status | American |
Position(s) | RB, QB |
College | Syracuse University |
High school | John Bartram High School |
Career history | |
As coach | |
1958 | Tip Tops (Jr) |
1959 | East York Argonaught (Jr) |
1960–63 | Oakville Black Knights (Jr) |
1964–72 | Burlington Braves (Jr) |
1973–80 | Sheridan College |
1981–88 | McMaster University |
As player | |
1951–54 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
1955–56 | Ottawa Rough Riders |
Career highlights and awards | |
Career stats | |
Bernard Eugene Custis (September 23, 1928 – February 23, 2017) was an American and Canadian football player who went on to a distinguished coaching career. He is known for having been the first black professional quarterback in the modern era and first in professional Canadian football, starting for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1951.[1][2]
In 2019, Bernie Custis Secondary School officially opened in Hamilton, Ontario. The school is located adjacent to Tim Hortons Field (and formerly Ivor Wynne Stadium), home site of the Tiger-Cats and Bernie's first professional games.[3]