RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - The Nevada Wolf Pack football team will be honoring the legacy of former Nevada fullback Marion Motley.
Motley played at the University of Nevada from 1940 to 1942 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in league history.
“This is an opportunity to remember a great Nevada and NFL legend in Marion Motley. What it exemplifies to me is the courage, determination and hard work it takes to be a champion, and part of the Wolf Pack program. Nobody exemplifies that more than Marion Motley,” said Nevada head coach Jeff Choate.
In each of Nevada’s games this year, one player will wear Motley’s number 41 as a tribute. For this weekend’s game against Penn State, the number will be worn by wide receiver Charles Brown.
“I’m tremendously grateful for this opportunity and for the support from my coaches and teammates who have recognized the hard work I put in every day,” Brown said. “Being the first to wear Marion Motley’s No. 41 is more than just an honor; it’s a responsibility. This initiative reminds me to lead with humility, to set an example for my team, and to bring along selfless, dedicated individuals who share that same drive day in and day out. It’s motivation to keep pushing, not just for myself but for the legacy we are all part of.”
No singular Wolf Pack player will wear 41 as their designated number this year, and 41 will retain its status as a retired number. The number was retired by the program in 1969 after Motley was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1968.
“Marion Motley’s Nevada legacy is an essential component in the history of Wolf Pack Athletics. So much about Marion Motley’s story at Nevada—his journey to Reno, his perseverance, his outstanding performances on the field, his service for this country—embodies the values we hold highest at the University and in Northern Nevada,” said Nevada Athletics Director Stephanie Rempe.
Motley left the Wolf Pack in 1942 to join the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns in 1945, and, in 1946, was one of the first players in the NFL to break the color barrier.
Motley played for the Browns for eight years before signing with the Steelers for one season, retiring in 1955 as the all-time rushing champ of the AAFC with 4,720 yards.
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