Bill Cottrell, a former Detroit Lions offensive lineman who is believed to be the first Black center in NFL history, died this week at the age of 80.
Cottrell played four seasons for the Lions in 1967-70 and finished his career with the Denver Broncos in 1972.
He made 10 starts at left tackle in 1967 and played three games at center in 1969.
"Bill Cottrell was a pioneer of sorts, but a quiet one," Jim Acho, attorney for the Detroit Lions NFL Alumni chapter, said by text message. "A selfless man who always checked in on former teammates to see how they were doing."
Cottrell is survived by his wife, Earline, and daughter Toni. His brother, Ted Cottrell, was a longtime NFL coach who served as defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers.
Cottrell's family will host a public visitation from 4-8 p.m. at Calhoun Funeral Home in Bedford Heights, Ohio, on Friday and will be laid to rest Saturday.
"In the 1960s in pro football, the positions up the middle – quarterback, center and middle linebacker – were reserved for white players because they were 'thinking man's' positions," Acho said by text. "It wasn't until Bill Cottrell, who was extremely smart, that it was thought that black players could play center. He was the first."
Dave Birkett is the author of the book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline." Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Lions OL Bill Cottrell, NFL's first Black center, dies at 80
