Football Star Perry Dies at 66

DETROIT (AP) â€” Lowell Perry, a star football player at Michigan in the 1950s who became the first black assistant coach in the NFL after World War II, has died. He was 66. <br><br>Perry died Sunday of

Tuesday, January 9th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DETROIT (AP) â€” Lowell Perry, a star football player at Michigan in the 1950s who became the first black assistant coach in the NFL after World War II, has died. He was 66.

Perry died Sunday of complications from cancer at Providence Hospital in Southfield.

After leaving Michigan, where his roommate was actor James Earl Jones, Perry played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1956. A hip injury ended his career and the next year he was hired as a receivers coach for the Steelers.

Perry was the charter member of the board of directors for NFL Charities, the league's charitable foundation, which was founded in 1974.

``He was unselfish in his dedication to NFL Charities and contributed an enormous amount of time and energy to helping those in need through our charitable foundation,'' NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said. ``His leadership and, just as importantly, his friendship will be missed.''

In 1966, CBS hired Perry as the first NFL black broadcaster, according to the league.

In 1973, he was named manager of Chrysler Corp.'s Detroit Universal Division plant in Dearborn, becoming one of the first blacks to head a major auto plant.

President Ford in 1975 named Perry to run the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In 1991, Michigan Gov. John Engler appointed him head of the state labor department.

``My father used to say that you make a living by what you earn, but you make a life by what you give,'' his daughter, Merrideth Perry Moore, told The Detroit News. ``My dad was a gentle giant. He affected so many people.''

Perry, who was born in Ypsilanti, is survived by his wife, Maxine; sons Lowell W. Jr. and Scott; five grandchildren; two sisters and a brother.

A memorial service will be held Jan. 17 in Detroit.