<Ul> <Li> First African - American NFL coach of the modern era: Art Shell, Los Angeles Raiders </Li> </Ul> <Li> First African - American NFL coach of the modern era: Art Shell, Los Angeles Raiders </Li> <Ul> <Li> First African American to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 auto race: Willy T. Ribbs (See also: Ribbs, 1986) </Li> <Li> First African - American NBA Coach of the Year: Don Chaney (Houston Rockets) </Li> </Ul> <Li> First African American to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 auto race: Willy T. Ribbs (See also: Ribbs, 1986) </Li>

First african american athlete to play a professional sport