There is now a statue at the north gate of Indiana University Memorial Stadium. It was placed there to remind everyone who passes of the greatness of George Taliaferro. The dedication of the statute and of George Taliaferro Plaza was held on November 1. Taliaferro died on October 8, 2018, at the age of 91.
At the dedication ceremony, IU President Michael A. McRobbie
said, “Throughout his life, not only did George Taliaferro excel as
an athlete, but he also overcame the real-world struggles of racism and
prejudice, of segregation and oppression. And in the process, he demonstrated
courage, determination, and perseverance, and earned a special place in the
annals of our state and its flagship public university.
“In George
Taliaferro Plaza and its centerpiece statue, every visitor to Indiana Memorial
Stadium will be reminded of the enormous contributions George made to IU and to
this community, as an outstanding athlete, as a champion of racial equality, as
a dedicated educator and administrator, as a tireless community activist, and
as a friend and mentor to many.”
While a student at IU in the 1940s, Taliaferro and IU President Herman B Wells played a crucial role in desegregating the IU campus and the city of Bloomington.
Taliaferro was a three-time All-American who led the unbeaten 1945 Hoosiers Big Ten Championship team. Following the 1948 season, he became the first African American drafted by an NFL team. Taliaferro spent seven years in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl honors three times.
He returned to Bloomington in 1972 and served as special assistant to IU President John Ryan. In that role and other roles on campus, he was an outspoken voice on social justice issues.
At the dedication ceremony, McRobbie presented the IU Bicentennial Medal to Taliaferro’s four daughters—Terri Johnson, Donna Taliaferro, Renee Buckner, and Linda Harvey—and to his wife, former Monroe County Judge Vi Taliaferro, who was not able to attend. His daughters also served as honorary IU team captains at Saturday’s football game against Northwestern.
Other speakers at the event included IU board of trustees member and IU basketball great Quinn Buckner, IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass, head football coach Tom Allen, Senior Associate Athletic Director and former IU football star Anthony Thompson , and senior linebacker Reakwon Jones.
The entire IU football team was in attendance, occupying the first several rows at the ceremony.
The Taliaferro statue was created by artist Brian Hanlon.
The George Taliaterro statue. Photo by Malcolm Abrams 
Fans snap photos of the George Taliaferro statue at the Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Courtesy photo 
IU board of trustees member and IU basketball greatQuinn Buckner. Courtesy photo 
The ceremony was held November 1 in Henke Hall of Champions. Courtesy photo 
IU VIce President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass. Courtesy photo 
Head football coach Tom Allen. Courtesy photo 
IU linebacker Reakwon Jones shakes IU President Michael McRobbie’s hand at the ceremony. Courtesy photo 
IU linebacker Reakwon Jones. Courtesy photo
