Sugar Bowl
1956
Georgia Tech 7
Pittsburgh 0
Note: On Jan. 1, 1956, Bobby Grier became the first black player to play in the Sugar Bowl. Leading up to that game, Governor Marvin Griffin of Georgia, a segregationist, demanded that Georgia Tech not play against Pittsburgh because the Panthers' team included Grier.
The day before Griffin’s statement, Rosa Parks refused to yield her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. A black football player had never played in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Pittsburgh officials agreed to participate only if Grier, a fullback and linebacker, could play and if the sections of Pitt fans were not segregated. Georgia Tech students protested at the governor's mansion in Atlanta and marched on the State Capitol, burning Griffin in effigy. Georgia Tech's president said that his team would not break the contract to compete in the Sugar Bowl. The Governor’s attitude did not reflect the attitude of the Georgia Tech players
Today, Grier is credited as being the first black player to participate in a bowl game in the Deep South. Grier's participation in the 1956 Sugar Bowl is still recognized as a significant moment in bringing an end to Southern segregation. (Information taken from the NY Times)
New
Orleans (AP) Tech is wearing its fourth Sugar crown at a jaunty angle
today, caring little about the arguments over the touchdown in its 7-0
victory over Pittsburgh. Tech got two of its biggest breaks in its
illustrious football history yesterday to whip Pitt, a stubborn team
with power-laden running and dangerous passing that belied its role as a
one or two-touchdown underdog.
The first break came when Pitt quarterback Pete Neft fumbled and Tech guard Allen Ecker recovered on the Pitt 32 in the first quarter. The second came on the next play, when quarterback Wade Mitchell tossed toward end Don Ellis in the Pitt end zone. Officials ruled that Pitt defensive back Bob Grier, the first Negro to play in the Sugar Bowl, pushed Ellis. They penalized Pitt for pass interference and placed the ball on the Pitt 1. Mitchell banged over for the touchdown and converted for the winning margin.
Gricr, sobbing in the dressing told newsmen that the penalty “should have been called the other way.” “He pushed me from behind, that’s why I fell forward.”
Pictures of the final stages of the play show Grier flat on his stomach in front of Ellis, who is in the air reaching over Crier's body for the ball. Game officials declined comment.
Tech Coach Bobby Dodd said, “I couldn't see the play at all. Ellis told me Grier pushed him and I guess that was the way it was."
Pitt Coach John Michelosen said It could have been called either way. There was equal disagreement among the 80,175 fans.
Tech's only oilier threat came in the fourth period on a sustained drive that carried from its 16 to the Pitt 7. At that point Pitt threw Tech for two straight losses before taking over when halfback Ray Dipasquale intercepted a Toppy Vann pass and returned eight yards to the 11. Guard Franklin Brooks of Tech who helped stop the drive, was voted the most outstanding player by writers covering the game.
Pitt's spirited power, which made the Panthers the nation's No. 11 team, furnished most of the offense, while holding seventh ranking Tech's running game largely under control. Pitt threatened three times, with the Tech defense, an interception and the clock cutting the drives off short.
Bobby Grier carries in the 1956 Sugar Bowl
Pitt's halfback Lou Cimarolli carries for 10 yards
Fans of both teams agreed the game should be played
Attendance- 80,174
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
GT–Mitchell 1 Run (Mitchell kick)
Individual Statistics
Rushing
GT–Owen 7-29, Mattison 7-27, Rotenberry
PITT- Grier 6-51, Cimarolli 11-37
Passing
GT–Vann 0-2-1, 0; Mitchell 0-1-0, 0
PITT–Salvaterra 4-9-1, 50; Lewis 1-4-0, 29; Neft 3-5-0, 15
Receiving
GT- None
PITT Walton 4-54, Glatz 2-48
