Inspired by Grandfather, Toler Battles to Win Job

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"Not a second thought," said Bill Henneberry, a backup quarterback on the team. "As corny as this may sound, it was a family. Time has demonstrated that's pretty close to being a fact."

USF's final regular season win became Toler's last complete football game, even though he was supposed to join the Cleveland Browns in 1952. He tore knee ligaments during a collegiate all-star game and spent a month in the hospital. That didn't deter pro teams such as the Chicago Cardinals, who twice offered Toler $10,000, no-cut contracts. He turned down their bids because he had little hope for a healthy NFL career.

Toler instead used his master's degree in education to become a teacher at San Francisco's Benjamin Franklin Middle School -- a school renamed Burl Toler Campus in 2006 -- and before long, he became the city's first African American middle school principal.

Toler stayed connected to football by officiating local high school and college games. When Pete Rozelle -- the same man who worked as USF communications director -- became NFL commissioner, he asked if Toler had interest in officiating at the pro level.

On Sept. 19, 1965, Toler served as the NFL's first African American field judge, in the District no less, as the Redskins lost to Cleveland, 17-7. Toler, whose family said he was unavailable to comment, would sometimes walk onto the field between the other officials so they could shield him from objects and insults hurled his direction.

"He was never one to come home and complain about what people would say," said Burl Toler Jr., father of the Redskins' wide receiver. "But I know he kind of -- without boasting about it or expressing it -- there were some issues with fans. Number one, they don't like referees. Being a black referee was a double whammy."

Toler worked Super Bowl XIV and retired in 1990, but his legacy has continued. His son carved his path against strong odds, walking on the Cal football team and eventually becoming a three-year starter at linebacker. Now his grandson is hoping to make a name of his own.

Just a few years ago, grandfather, father and the rest of the family used to sit underneath the north end zone scoreboard at Memorial Stadium and watch Toler in Cal blue and gold. He stood 6 feet 2 and ran fast (4.5 in the 40-yard dash), but Cal had 13 wide receivers, and coaches weren't sure Toler would fit. By November of his first year, he was a starter. By his senior season in 2004, he led the Golden Bears in receiving.

He again fed off family influence after going undrafted out of college. Toler became a teacher in the Bay Area, just like his grandfather. He taught first-graders in reading, math and music and led a T-shirt-making enrichment program. He forged pen pal relationships that remain intact.

He spent some time with the Oakland Raiders in 2006 and earned a chance in Washington last season but struggled for a roster spot. He played the season in Cologne, Germany, for the Centurions of NFL Europa. The Redskins re-signed him in January, and he has come back for another training camp.

"We gave him a shot because he's deserving of a shot," wide receivers coach Stan Hixon said. "He's a pretty good football player."

Toler has improved his route running and release coming off the ball during the offseason, although he still might be a long shot to make the team.

He continued, however, to fight during two-a-days, remembering his grandfather's battles. How could he forget? He shares the name on the back of his jersey. He hears about it sometimes from officials on the field, who asked if he's related to that Burl Toler. He grew up listening to life lessons from that Burl Toler.

What he learned then has driven him to Washington and through training camp -- regardless of whether he is on the roster at summer's end.

"I have nothing to complain about, ever," Toler said. "I think about my grandfather playing in 1951, the training rooms, the equipment, all that stuff alone. Then you think about the time, and it being a racial issue. Then you think about what he overcame to be there. . . . I can't say: 'Oh, no, my feet hurt, or I didn't do this. How come I didn't get a scholarship? How come I didn't get drafted?' He's ingrained this mentality through showing me, just leading by example. I feel like I'm in the best situation ever, and I can't deny that."