Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Football Trailblazer Bernie Custis Passes Away

Monday, February 27, 2017, By SU Athletics
Share

Berrnie
(From Cuse.com) HAMILTON, ONTARIO, CANADA – Syracuse University football letterwinner Bernie Custis passed away yesterday, according to the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the team for which he made his pro football debut in 1951. Custis, widely considered to be the first black quarterback of the modern era, was 88.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Bernie Custis,” said Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack. “Bernie was a true pioneer. Widely considered to be the first black quarterback in modern professional football, he opened doors and paved the way for countless others who may otherwise not have gotten an opportunity.

“At Syracuse, he starred on Ben Schwartzwalder’s early teams, helping lay the foundation for one of the golden eras of Orange football. Bernie’s accomplishments and courage should be celebrated by all. Syracuse University extends its deepest condolences to the Custis family for their loss.”

Custis played for the Orange from 1948-50. During an era when teams predominantly ran the football, Custis became the first SU player to record a 1,000-yard passing season, throwing for 1,121 yards in 1949. He finished his three-year college career with 2,617 yards and 12 touchdown passes.

In 1951, Custis was drafted sixth overall by the Cleveland Browns, who wanted him to play safety. He instead signed with Hamilton and became the Tiger-Cats’ starting quarterback on Aug. 19, 1951. He started every game at quarterback that season. Custis moved to running back the following year and in 1953 helped the Tiger-Cats capture the Grey Cup. He ended his career with the Ottawa Rough Riders as a running back in 1955 and 1956.

Custis later became a coach, most notably with the Burlington Braves of the Canadian Junior Football League, where he won three Ontario championships and two Eastern Canadian titles.

A 1977 Syracuse Letterwinner of Distinction, Custis was inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 1998.

For complete coverage of Syracuse University Athletics visit Cuse.com.

  • Author

SU Athletics

  • Recent
  • 2023-24 Parking Rates Announced
    Friday, May 26, 2023, By News Staff
  • Lutheran Chaplain Announces Retirement
    Thursday, May 25, 2023, By Dara Harper
  • SyracuseCoE Awards $180,000 for 9 Faculty Fellow Projects Supporting Research and Innovation
    Thursday, May 25, 2023, By News Staff
  • From Generation to Generation: Doing Well by Doing Good
    Thursday, May 25, 2023, By Eileen Korey
  • Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Celebrates Graduating Military-Connected Students
    Wednesday, May 24, 2023, By Charlie Poag

More In Campus & Community

2023-24 Parking Rates Announced

Syracuse University has set its parking rates for the 2023-24 academic year. The University’s rates, which align with those of peer institutions, provide funding for technology upgrades and capital improvements to parking lots and garages across campus. Employee rates for…

Lutheran Chaplain Announces Retirement

After 15 years of service as Lutheran Chaplain at Hendricks Chapel, Rev. Gail Riina has announced her retirement, effective at the end of July. Pastor Gail (as she is often known by students) served in numerous campus contexts throughout her…

Dean J. Cole Smith Talks With FedEx President and CEO Raj Subramaniam G’89 About Leadership and Advice for Current Students

Raj Subramaniam G’89 is the president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corporation. He has more than 30 years of industry experience at FedEx and is responsible for several recent transformational initiatives, including revitalizing the company’s operating strategy, profitably growing…

SyracuseCoE Awards $180,000 for 9 Faculty Fellow Projects Supporting Research and Innovation

The Syracuse Center of Excellence (SyracuseCoE) in Environmental and Energy Systems has awarded nearly $180,000 for the 2023 SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellow awards. These nine research and innovation projects are led by faculty members from Syracuse University, SUNY College of Environmental Science…

Researchers’ Artificial Intelligence-Based Speech Sound Therapy Software Wins $2.5M NIH Grant

Three Syracuse University researchers, supported by a recent $2.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, are working to refine a clinically intuitive automated system that may improve treatment for speech sound disorders while alleviating the impact of a…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2023 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.