Charles Ross is a Professor of History in the Department of History and African American Studies at the University of Mississippi. He is part of the leadership team for the UM Slavery Research Group.
Research Interests
Dr. Ross' research interests include sports history specifically the history of African Americans in professional football from the early 20th century through the 21st century. He investigates early African American participation in pro football, creation of the color barrier in the NFL, reintegration of the NFL, African American players in the American Football League, the merger of the NFL and AFL, and the evolution of modern pro football.
He is the author of Mavericks, Money, and Men: The AFL, Black Players, and the Evolution of Modern Football, which was published by Temple University Press in 2016. His book, Outside the Lines: African Americans and the Integration of the National Football League, was released by New York University Press in 1999.
Dr. Ross has appeared on ESPN’s "Outside the Lines" and on ESPN Radio, and given several interviews for local television and print media.
Biography
Dr. Ross, a native of Columbus, Ohio, earned the BA in History from Stillman College. He earned a MA in Black Studies, MA and PhD in History from The Ohio State University. He has served as Director of the UM African American Studies Program and Interim Chair of the UM Department of History.
He was part of the 2014 creation of the University of Mississippi Slavery Research Group, which includes faculty members across 17 academic departments working to learn more about the history of slavery in Oxford and on the UM campus.
Publications
2016, Temple University Press
The AFL, Black Players, and the Evolution of Modern Football
From the publisher:
In Mavericks, Money and Men, football historian Charles Ross chronicles the AFL’s key events, including Buck Buchanan becoming the first overall draft pick in 1963, and the 1965 boycott led by black players who refused to play in the AFL-All Star game after experiencing blatant racism. He also recounts how the success of the AFL forced a merger with the NFL in 1969, which arguably facilitated the evolution of modern professional football.
Selected Book(s):
Race and Sport The Struggle for Equality on and off the Field
Outside the Lines: African Americans and the Integration of the National Football League
"A Historical Legacy of Black Male Leadership: Medgar Evers" Brothers of the Academy Up and Coming Black Scholars Earning Our Way in Higher Education, ed. Lee Jones (Sterling, Virginia: Stylus, 2000), 286-295.
Courses Taught
- AAST 3250 African American History to 1865
- AAST 3260 African American History Since 1865
- AAST 4400 History of African Americans in Sports
- AAST 4440 African Americans in Film and Television
- HIST 6060 Readings in U.S. History from the Civil War to the Present
- HIST 7020 Research - US from Civil War to Present
- HIST 7990 Graduate Writing Workshop
Education
M.A. History, Ohio State University (1992)
Ph.D. History, Ohio State University (1996)
B.A. History, Stillman College (1986)
Latest News
Group recognized for cross-disciplinary approach to discovering history of enslaved people.
Faculty News
/ Honors & Awards
OXFORD, Miss. – The Mississippi Historical Society has honored the University of Mississippi Slavery Research Group for its work in telling the stories of enslaved people across the South.
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