National Football League Commissioner Pete Rozelle was instrumental in integrating the NFL during the 1960s. Despite his willingness to takckle the issue of racism, which included taking on Washington Redskins owner George Marshall, many of the Afro-American players -- offput by his white-bread persona -- nicknamed him "Peckerhead Pete".... Many Afro-Americans blackballed or just plain alienated from the NFL found a home in the more-welcoming AFL.
-- Jack Horrigan & Mike Rathet, "The Other League: The Fabulous Story of the American Football League"
-- Jack Horrigan & Mike Rathet, "The Other League: The Fabulous Story of the American Football League"
by Nelly Scratch January 2, 2007