Flint Northern, 1954
2025 Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: Football, Track & Field
Eugene “Gene” Taylor is a proud graduate of Flint Northern High School and a pioneer in Flint area sports. Eugene is best known for breaking racial barriers and becoming the first African American football player to make the All-City, All-Valley, and All-State teams as a lineman. In 1953, Eugene’s dominance in football on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball helped lead Flint Northern to an 8-1 record and a Saginaw Valley championship.
Flint Northern’s biggest win that season was a last-minute victory against rivals Flint Central on Thanksgiving Day, a game that is often remembered as one of the greatest games in the history of Flint high school football. Eugene was named one of the captains of the Flint Northern football team for the 1953 season. While at Flint Northern he played alongside other great Viking athletes.
In 1954, Eugene helped lead Flint Northern’s track and field team to a state championship. Eugene participated in the shot-put event and where he set a school and city record with a toss of 51 feet and 5.5 inches.
Eugene Taylor, you are the true definition of being “Flint Strong!” You have made Flint proud, welcome to the Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame!
