UGA Honors First Black Football Players in Documentary

The university premieres a film about the "original five" Black Bulldogs players.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The University of Georgia is premiering a documentary called "The First Five: Legacy in Motion" that honors the first five Black players on the school's Bulldogs football team. The film will debut at a networking event in Atlanta on Sunday, February 22nd.

Why it matters

The documentary shines a light on an important milestone in UGA's history, recognizing the pioneering Black student-athletes who helped integrate the university's football program in the 1960s.

The details

The film focuses on Richard Appleby, Larry Brown, Horace King, Chuck Kinnebrew, and Clarence Pope, who were the first five Black players on the UGA football team. The premiere event will take place at The Gathering Spot in Atlanta from 5-8 pm on February 22nd.

  • The documentary "The First Five: Legacy in Motion" will premiere on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
  • The premiere event will take place from 5-8 pm on February 22nd in Atlanta.

The players

Richard Appleby

One of the first five Black players on the University of Georgia's Bulldogs football team.

Larry Brown

One of the first five Black players on the University of Georgia's Bulldogs football team.

Horace King

One of the first five Black players on the University of Georgia's Bulldogs football team.

Chuck Kinnebrew

One of the first five Black players on the University of Georgia's Bulldogs football team.

Clarence Pope

One of the first five Black players on the University of Georgia's Bulldogs football team.

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The takeaway

The documentary "The First Five: Legacy in Motion" celebrates the pioneering Black student-athletes who helped integrate the University of Georgia's football program, an important milestone in the school's history.