Pitt and Duke haven’t played each other in football in 37 years. Yet, you would think there is a long-storied past based on some of the stories from this week.
For two programs that are very different and only 17 games played between them, history is the theme. The first game was back in 1929, and Pitt was a victim of the 1938 “Iron Dukes” team. But Pitt and Duke played another game in 1950 that at least counts as a step in history.
Pitt was about to travel to Durham, N.C., with a player destined to become part of a scene never witnessed on a college football field in that state: a black man playing against a white man.
Flint Greene, a backup defensive tackle for Pitt who was an all-state selection on WPIAL championship teams at New Kensington High School, made history that day, turning a 28-14 Duke victory into the first integrated football game in North Carolina. ACC historian Al Featherston said Duke and North Carolina had played against blacks only on the road out of state.
Altoona native Blaine Earon, a Blue Devils All-American defensive end, attended Wade’s meeting.
“He said to us, ‘If there is anybody who has an objection, let me know,’ ” Earon said from his home near Atlanta. “Nobody put up their hands. I’m serious. The only time it was mentioned was at that meeting.”
By all accounts, Greene’s presence prompted no reaction on the field or in the stands.
“You didn’t even know the guy was there,” said Billy Cox, the Duke quarterback.
It may have helped that Duke was very proactive in making sure there was no issue.
Wade warned his players he would pull them if they caused trouble for Greene. Duke president Hollis Edens and Wade issued a statement to reporters.
“Yes, we have heard that Pittsburgh has a Negro on its squad,” the statement read. “The coaches of each team have the unquestioned right to play any eligible man they choose to play. We have neither the right nor the desire to ask a coach to restrict or limit his team’s participation on the grounds of creed or color.
“Duke students and fans have a fine record of treating visiting teams courteously. We have every reason to believe this record will be continued.”
Cox, who grew up in Mount Airy, N.C., and was a classmate of Andy Griffith’s, said Wade’s warning may have been unnecessary.
“I don’t think we were far enough south,” he said.
Yes. Yes, you were. If that was the first integrated football game played in North Carolina. You definitely “were far enough south.”
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