Making History on the Gridiron

The 1956 Frederick Bombers were the first integrated high school football team to win a state championship in the United States. Coached by Dean Wild, a previous state champion at Watonga, the team of 12 Black players and 27 white players went 14-0 that year and beat Okmulgee Dunbar 33-0 in the Oklahoma Class B state championship game. Coach Wild’s decision to integrate the team two years after the Brown v. Board of Education decision was not popular with some local leaders, but the players developed a special bond that has spanned the decades since that magical season. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn speak to Danny Griffin, a running back on the team who was selected to the All-Area Southern Oklahoma team. Danny recounts his memories of growing up in Frederick and tells stories about his talented teammates.