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Bill Willis

William Karnet Willis (born October 5, 1921 in Columbus, Ohio) is a former professional football defensive lineman who played for the Cleveland Browns from 1946 to 1953.

Willis was one of the first African American football players to play professional football. He was signed to a contract with the Browns a full year before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1950, 1951, and 1952, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. He is a graduate of Ohio State University.

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