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George Taliaferro dies; was first African-American picked in NFL draft

George Taliaferro, who in 1949 became the first African-American player to be drafted by an NFL team, died Monday night at age 91.

His death was announced by the George Taliaferro Sport Association.

Taliaferro, who was a three-time All-American at Indiana, was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 13th round of the 1949 draft but he never played for the team.

He had already committed to play for the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference and played for the team in the 1949 season. Taliaferro was a Bears fan but had signed with the Dons a week before the NFL draft.