Artwork
Object number2024.43.2
Date1955
MediumSugar; Paint or Dye; Wood; Glass; Cardboard; Metal; Adhesive tape
Credit LineGift of Family of John Cenci
DescriptionFramed sugar portrait artwork. Rectangular solid block of white sugar painted or dyed on front to depict male football player in full body frontal view, crouching slightly and wearing blue jersey with yellow player number and gold uniform pants; background is blue sky and green grass with thin black border and white outer margin. Artwork is mounted in rectangular brown wooden frame with glass glazing.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (Framed): 15.625 x 9.063 x 1.375 in. (39.7 x 23 x 3.5 cm)InscriptionsFront has black text along bottom margin "JOHN CENCI, c."
MarksFront has black decoration in the viewer's bottom right corner of the grass area "[symbol] / '55".
Historical NotesPortrait from the 1956 Sugar Bowl featuring University of Pittsburgh co-captain John Cenci. The bowl game featured the 7th-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and the 11th-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers. This was the first integrated Sugar Bowl . Label TextBobby Grier, a fullback and linebacker for the University of Pittsburgh, became the first African American to compete in the Sugar Bowl in 1956. Pitt’s team had been integrated since 1945 when Jimmy Joe Robinson became the first Black varsity football player, joined by Herb Douglas and Allen Carter several weeks later. Grier’s presence in the Sugar Bowl represented a major step forward in the integration of collegiate football. With the university’s support, Grier overcame the objections of the Georgia governor, Marvin Griffin, and a large contingent of Southern segregationists, to take the field against Georgia Tech and break the color barrier.
Related institution
University of Pittsburgh
Related person
John Cenci
(born 1934)
Related institution
Pittsburgh Panthers
Related institution
Georgia Institute of Technology
Related institution
Pittsburgh Steelers
Related institution
Schenley High School
Related person
Robert Warren Grier Sr.
(1933 - 2024)
On View
Not on view
Ron Mahoney
Ron Mahoney
