Friends Ble – While Others Were Clearly Marked Who Crossed the Lines with Signs

A Town – Marked With Lines Like many other towns in America, Gary, Indiana also had lines. Decades ago, many of those boundaries were invisi- Friends ble – while others were clearly marked Who Crossed The Lines with signs. Carl Biesecker and George Taliaferro grew up only a few miles apart in that town. But they were separated by a boundary between White and African-American neighborhoods. A Football Field – Marked With Lines Those two football players first met in Football is a game of crossing lines. Cross the line of scrimmage a 1944 game between all-White Horace before the hike and a referee’s flag will fly with an offside penalty. Mann High and all-Black Roosevelt High. If you leap to make a catch, but land over the sideline, your

reception doesn’t count. If you move the ball 10-yards beyond the Carl Crosses a Line DENT DEANNA BY © PHOTO line where your team started, you get four more downs to play. At the conclusion of that game, Carl and punter would eventually get him Biesecker crossed over to the opposing elected to the College Football Hall of team’s sideline, extended his hand to Fame. (This was two years before Jack- team captain George Taliaferro, intro- ie Robinson broke the color barrier in duced himself and said, “It was a plea- major league baseball.) sure to play football against you.” After college, Taliaferro became the first They didn’t have much time to build African-American player to be drafted a friendship in the months that fol- by an NFC team when he was picked lowed, because like many others they by the Chicago Bears in 1949. Instead, went into the military after graduating he chose to honor a contract with the high school. Los Angeles Dons where he was named Rookie of the Year by the AFC. World War II soon ended and they were discharged from service. Both en- After he moved to the New York Yanks, rolled at Indiana University and joined that team moved the following year to the football team. This time, they were become the Dallas Texans. Next year, playing on the same side. his team moved once again to become the Baltimore Colts. With the same Taliaferro Breaks Records team under three names in three cit- Taliaferro gained national recognition ies, Taliaferro was picked for the Pro there as an All-American three times, Bowl three years in a row. After 6 years 1000 leading the team to an undefeated Big in pro-football, Taliaferro retired from wish Ten Conference Championship. His per- the game in 1955. nted formance as a halfback, quarterback Gran © PHOTO BY DEANNA DENT DEANNA BY © PHOTO 6 | OPTIMUM LIFE BROOKDALE.COM | 7 Friends Cross the Lines Again Carl Needs His Old Friend Taliaferro and Biesecker reconnected Decades later, Carl Biesecker was strug- back at Indiana University where both re- gling to take care of his wife Lucy in her turned to pursue post-graduate studies. final year with Alzheimer’s. On a- par ticularly hard day, he told their daugh- One evening, they decided to go to a ter Angie he really wanted to talk with movie and break a Jim Crow segregation George. She located Taliaferro and law. Taliaferro explained, “I had made called him. He told her, “Your father up my mind I was not going to obey DENT DEANNA BY © PHOTO was my friend when it wasn’t political- NBC reporter Josh Elliott with Carl Biesecker. segregation signs.” So, after Biesecker ly correct to be my friend.” That began took a seat on the floor level, Taliaferro a series of weekly phone conversations A Football Friends Reunion – The 1,000th Wish of a Lifetime took out a screwdriver and removed between Carl and George. the “Colored” sign at the balcony steps When George Taliaferro walked into the great room at before joining his friend. Taliaferro kept Biesecker’s wife Lucy died in 2013. He Brookdale Freedom Plaza, he embraced his friend he had that sign and proudly shows it off to then suffered a stroke last year. While not seen in 64 years. “You really look good. I’m serious,” this day. in recovery, he told another daughter George said. Madeline, “We’ve got to call George. Separated by Jobs and Geography Carl deflected, “Well…I had a stroke…my left arm.” The old I’ve got to hear his voice.” halfback George responded, “So, all I have to do now is run After Carl Biesecker completed his Biesecker is now an 87-year-old res- around your left side, and you can’t do anything.” After post-grad work, he moved to take a ident at Brookdale Freedom Plaza in laughter and back-slapping, Taliaferro took a serious note, job with the Arizona Department of Peoria, Arizona. When the Brookdale “You have been a mainstay in my life, for the manner in Education where he worked for 30 staff learned of his desire to see his which you encompassed me as a human being.” years, raising four children with his old friend George, they made arrange- wife Lucy. Their reunion was covered by NBC reporter Josh Elliott with ments with the Wish of a Lifetime orga- a camera crew from the TODAY show. It marked the 1,000th George Taliaferro went on to complete nization to bring Taliaferro and his wife wish granted by Wish of a Lifetime. More than 600 of those his Master’s at Howard University, to Arizona. wishes have been fulfilled for Brookdale residents. eventually serving as Dean of Students When Carl’s daughter Angie surprised at Morgan State University before re- Returning a Favor him on Christmas with news that turning to Indiana University to serve George would be coming for a visit a At 88 years of age, Taliaferro reflected, “When I think about as a special assistant to the president. week before the Super Bowl, she re- growing up in Gary, Indiana – it was impossible for Carl and counted that he got “pretty choked up, I to be friends. But it happened.” and was holding back tears.” In 1944, Carl Biesecker crossed a line when he crossed a football field to shake hands with George Taliaferro. In the years that followed, Biesecker crossed even more lines and When I think about growing Taliaferro stepped outside more boundaries, breaking records in the process. up in Gary, Indiana – it was impossible for Carl and I to be Now, 70 years after that first handshake, George crossed the country to return the favor and shake the hand of a friend friends. But it happened. who greeted him as an equal.