The National Sports Agent
Hall of Fame
John Wooten
John B. Wooten is a true pioneer in the National Football League, with an impressive career spanning roles as a player, player agent, scout, and executive. As an agent, he broke significant barriers by becoming the first person of color to represent multiple first-round selections in the NFL draft. His on-field achievements include a successful career as a guard for the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins. Beyond his playing and agent career, Wooten's enduring legacy is underscored by his founding of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, an influential advocacy group that collaborates with the NFL to promote minority hiring in coaching, scouting, and front-office positions. As the first truly successful sports agent of color, John is a most worthy inductee as a Pioneer into the National Sports Agent Hall of Fame.
The First Great Sports Agent of Color
John B. Wooten is a true pioneer in the sports agent world and a worthy enshrine in the Sports Agent Hall of Fame. He was the first person of color to represent multiple first-round draft selections in the NFL College Entry draft, at a time when a minority in the sports agent business was almost non-existent. His contributions to the industry have paved the way for future generations of sports agents.
Wooten (born December 5, 1936) is an American former professional football player who was a guard for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins. Wooten played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes and was selected in the fifth round of the 1959 NFL Draft.
Wooten was born in Riverview, Texas. His family then moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico and he attended segregated schools through the 9th grade, before attending the newly-integrated Carlsbad High School. Wooten first played high school football as a sophomore in 1952, and he eventually earned All-State honors in football and basketball. He received offers to play football at Dartmouth College, Florida A&M University, UCLA, the University of New Mexico, and New Mexico State University. Still, he chose to go to the University of Colorado at Boulder instead.
Wooten attended and played college football at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He joined the team in 1955 and became the second African-American varsity football player in the program's history (Franklin Clarke was the first). As a senior, Wooten earned American Football Coaches Association All-America honors and was selected to play in the Chicago College All-Star Game. He is believed to be one of the first African-Americans to earn All-America honors playing a position in the interior line. He graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
