Lou Molinet
| Date of birth | November 30, 1904 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Chaparra, Cuba |
| Date of death | August 27, 1977 (aged 72) |
| Place of death | West Palm Beach, Florida, United States |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Fullback, Halfback, Quarterback |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| College | Cornell |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1927 | Frankford Yellow Jackets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career stats | |
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Ignacio Saturnino (Lou) Molinet (1904–1976) was the first professional football player of Hispanic descent to play in the National Football League. He played in 1927 for the Frankford Yellow Jackets.
Early life
Despite having a French name, Molinet. Lou's parents had come to Cuba from Spain, their ancestors likely crossed the Pyrenees Mountains from France. He was educated primarily in America, attending prep school in New Jersey before enrolling at Cornell University, where he followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Joaquin, who was later inducted into the Cornell Athletic Hall of Fame.
Cornell
Molinet lettered twice each in basketball and football. However after his sophomore year ended, both of his parents died. He found the prospect of returning to Cornell too challenging, so he remained at home in Cuba. But when the Frankford Athletic Association in Philadelphia contacted him about playing for the Frankford Yellow Jackets, the defending NFL champion, he returned. The team contracted Molinet for a salary of $50 per game. In addition, he received $50 per week to attend practice.
NFL
In 1927, Molinet rushed for 75 yards and passed for another 35 yards. He also caught several passes, and even scored a touchdown. He helped Frankford finish in seventh place. He played in nine NFL games that season.
Later life
Molinet spent his later life working at Eastman Kodak. He actually worked for the Carrier Corporation, first in New York City, then in Rochester and then in Syracuse. Many in media referred to him as "Lou" Molinet. However his family states he was never called that. His nicknames were really "Molly," and "Iggy".
First Cuban player
Prior to 1999, it was concluded that Jess Rodriguez, a fullback with the 1929 Buffalo Bisons, was the first NFL player of Hispanic heritage. However in 2000, Heidi Cadwell, Molinet's granddaugher, contacted the Pro Football Hall of Fame about donating her grandfather's NFL contract from 1927. Her call was of great interest to the Hall because at the time it was widely believed that Rodriguez was the first Hispanic player in NFL history. Further research by the Hall of Fame and Hispanic historian Mario Longoria confirmed that, in fact, Molinet played in the NFL in 1927.