You may know LeBron James, Serena Williams, Patrick Mahomes, and other famous Black athletes of today, but how much do you know about the Black athletes who came before them? The incredible Black athletes currently playing might not be where they are now if it weren’t for the trailblazing Black athletes throughout history.
Sports in the United States were racially segregated for many years, which meant white players did not compete with Black players, who were seen as inferior. Despite that, Black athletes through the years have persisted, achieved greatness, and helped make our society better and more just.
For Black History Month, we’re taking a look at 6 Black athletes of the 20th century who made a significant impact on sports and on the world:
Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson was a boxer with the nickname the “Galveston Giant.” In 1908, he became the first Black boxer to win the world heavyweight championship.
In 1910, former heavyweight champion boxer James J. Jeffries came out of retirement to challenge Johnson to a fight. Jeffries was seen as a “great white hope” by many white Americans, who did not believe a Black man deserved to be champion and wanted Jeffries to take the title away from Johnson.
During the match, which had been billed as the “Fight of the Century,” Johnson became the first boxer to knock down Jeffries. In the 15th round, Jeffries surrendered the victory to Johnson.
Johnson was a controversial figure in the United States. Not only did he prove that Black athletes were worthy competitors, but he also defied racial segregation laws by having relationships with white women.
Jesse Owens
Jesse Owens was a sprinter and long jumper who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics. He won gold medals in the 100-meter sprint, the long jump, the 200-meter sprint, and the 4×100-meter relay.
Owens’ success is especially significant because the 1936 Olympics were hosted by Berlin and opened by Adolf Hitler. Hitler planned to use the Olympics to spread racist propaganda and promote ideals of Aryan superiority — in other words, he wanted to show that white athletes were better than everyone else.
By winning four gold medals, Owens became the most successful athlete at the Olympics and disproved Hitler’s theories on an international stage.
Jackie Robinson
In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first Black baseball player in Major League Baseball. In fact, this was the first instance of racial integration in any professional sports league in modern America.
Robinson began his baseball career with the Canadian minor league team the Montreal Royals before being called up to the majors by Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey. He faced racism from baseball fans, opponents, and even his own teammates, but he endured and paved the way for professional Black athletes who followed.
Robinson won Rookie of the Year in 1947 and the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949, and was a six-time All-Star. In 1955, he led the Dodgers to win the World Series.
Tommie Smith and John Carlos
Tommie Smith and John Carlos competed in the 200-meter race at the 1968 Olympics, and won the gold and bronze medals, respectively. When the National Anthem played during the medal ceremony, Smith and Carlos bowed their heads and raised gloved fists in protest of racial inequality.
The image of Smith and Carlos with their fists raised caused a lot of controversy in the United States. The country was experiencing a cultural shift, and the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. Black citizens sought equality and an end to unjust, racist laws, but change was slow.
Many white Americans saw Smith and Carlos’ raised fists as disrespectful, but the two athletes knew they had an opportunity to make a powerful statement in front of hundreds of millions of spectators. They brought international attention to America’s need for racial justice and equality.
Arthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe is the only Black man to ever win multiple tennis Grand Slam titles. He won the 1968 US Open, 1970 Australian Open, and 1975 Wimbledon.
Tennis had been a historically white sport during this time, but Ashe’s father was the caretaker of a park with facilities for Black people, so Ashe was able to learn how to play.
Ashe even competed in the South African Open. Until the 1990s, South Africa practiced a form of racial segregation known as apartheid. At first, the South African government refused to allow Ashe into the country to play tennis. Ashe spoke out against apartheid and testified in front of Congress, and in 1973, South Africa finally allowed him to enter and play in the tournament.
In the 1980s, Ashe underwent heart surgery and contracted HIV. In 1992, he became one of the first athletes to publicly announce he was battling AIDS. He used his platform to bring awareness to HIV/AIDS and to fight for the rights of people living with HIV, who were largely being ignored by the United States government.
Each of these incredible athletes deserves recognition for what they accomplished, both on and off the field. However, there have been a lot of other talented Black athletes who also deserve recognition. Do some research, and find someone who inspires you! Black History Month is the perfect time to learn about some of the great accomplishments of Black Americans through the years.
