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"Breaking Through the Lines: The Marion Motley Story"

With author David Lee Morgan Jr.

The author of "LeBron James: The Rise of a Star" will share some of the stories in his new book about one of the first Black players in the NFL.

See all of the author’s upcoming visits on our events calendar.

Marion Motley was recognized as one of the gridiron’s most outstanding players for the Cleveland Browns when he was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968 in his hometown of Canton. 

His legacy off the field, as one of four Black players to reintegrate pro football in 1946, helped blaze a path for Black athletes in the highest echelons of professional sports, including baseball’s Jackie Robinson. Yet the life of one of the sport’s greatest and most impactful players remains unknown to most Americans. 

David Lee Morgan Jr. will share some of the stories in his new book, Breaking Through the Lines: The Story of Marion Motley, along with how he became co-producer of the 2022 Regional Emmy award-winning documentary Lines Broken: The Story of Marion Motley, which aired on PBS Western Reserve and was distributed to PBS affiliates nationally by American Public Television. Morgan is also the author of LeBron James: The Rise of a Star, A Ring for the King and The Massillon Tigers: 15 for 15.

Morgan will be available for a Q&A session after his presentation for audience engagement.