Charles “Choo Choo” Brackins played college football at Prairie View A&M University from 1951 to 1955. He was a three year starting quarterback for legendary head football coach Billy Nicks and led the Prairie View Panthers to 33 victories in 37 games in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. He was a big passer at 6’2" and 205 pounds and a two-time Pittsburgh Courier Black College Football All-American in 1953 and 1954. He led the Prairie View Panthers to Conference Championships in 1952, 1953, and 1954 along with two Black College National Championships in 1953 and 1954. After a stellar collegiate career, Brackins was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 16th round of the 1955 NFL Draft. He only played one game in the NFL, but his debut on October 23, 1955 made him the first HBCU alumnus to play quarterback in the NFL.
