Atlanta Daily World

Grier, Hard-Running Back Letter To Harvey Reveals

Bob Grier, Pitt fullback who is slated to see action in the Sugar Bowl Classic, at New Orleans, La., on New Years' Day, is a hard-running ball-carrier, B. T. Harvey, SIAC commissioner, said here this week.

Commissioner Harvey quoted from a letter he received from Boy Wycoff, director of Athletic Publicity of the University of Pittsburgh, dated October 11, 1955.

Director of Athletic Publicity Wycoff wrote:

"We have only one Negro player on our football squad, who is playing in varsity games this year. He is Bob Grier, who comes from Massillon, Ohio.

Bob is interested in a business career and is in his senior year at Pitt He played only a little during the 1953 season since he was playing behind another fine Negro player, Bobby Epps, who is now with the New York Giants professional team.

CARRIES BALL 20 TIMES AND GAINS 241 YARDS

He played in only two games in 1953, but gained 241 yards in the 20 times he carried the ball. Of the 241 yards, 198 were gained in one game.

Last season Grier divided the fullback duties with another fullback, but saw plenty of action in every game and won his letter So far this fall he has played a great deal in Pitt's games to date and is regarded as a fine runner.

He is hard to bring down and is particularly hard to stop once he has broken into the enemy secondary. He is a big boy, standing 6-1 and weighing about 195. He attended Washington High in Massilon and lettered in basketball as well as football."