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Fritz Pollard
Fritz Pollard is another name that I never heard about until this assignment. Fritz was the first ever African American All-American runningback in where he took his team to the Rose Bowl and became the first black player to play in that game in 1916. He later played 7 season in the NFL with the Akron Pros. He became the first ever black NFL coach he did this why he was still on the roster of the team. So he is also the player/coach of his era. -
Jesse Owens
In the summer of !936 Jesse Owens became the first African American to run in the Olympics. The Olympics to place in Germany which in time was ruled by the evil dictator Adolf Hitler. Who we all know believe that black and other races were inferior to the whites. Under these odds Jesse Owens still managed to win four gold medals. One in the 100 yard dash, 200 meter dash, the long jump, and also ran on the first place 4x100 meter relay. -
Jackie Robinson
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XY-XshGhMUJackie Robinson's story is the most known of all the African American athlete stories. In 1946 he sign a contract to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers where he didnt play in his first game until 1947 when he then became the first ever black baseball player. In his first season he almost batted .300 and led the league in stolen bases. This helped him become the National League Rookie of the Year. He help break the color barrier which now open doors for more African American to get into the pros. -
Althea Gibson
Althea came into the picture before there was ever a Venus and Serena Williams. Althea was a highly competive player in tennis. In 1950 she became the first African Americans to compete in the US Nationals where she advanced to the second to prove that African Americans could compete in the sport of tennis. In 1957 she went on to win the US Nationals and Wimbelton. When she arrived back home to New York she was introduced with a parade. -
Willie Thrower
Willie Thrower is known to very few people including me and many other African American football players. Willie started off his career at the Michigan State University where he recieved very little racial discrimination. During his high school career he was very discriminated against. This caused him to miss out on multiple scholarship oppurtunites, On the day of October 18, 1953, Willie became the NFL's first African American Quarteback -
Willie O'Ree
In early January Willie O'Ree became the first African American to play in the National Hockey League. He stared on the ice with the Boston Bruins. He only competed in the National Hockey League for a two year span. He was sideline by a eye injury that ended his career. Even with his short tenure in the professional sport he still opened up many avenues for more African Americans to compete in hockey. -
Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzWynvBLJ4IIn his prime and still now Muhammad Ali is a inspiration to many people. He became the first boxer to win the heavyweight championship three times. He was the first boxer to do this including Whites and African Americans. After winning his first title he was stripped of it because he refused to join tfhe US Army in the Vietnam War. He claim that it was against his new found religion which was Muslim. He came back and won two more championships just under a different name Muhammad Ali. -
Authur Ashe
Arthur Ashe was a premier tennis player in his time. He put himself on the map when he won the intercollegiate singles championship while he was at the University of California-LA . He was also the first black male champion in the 1968 US open, 1970 Australian Open, and 1975 Wimbleton. All these are championship that are major accomplishments. He was known for his hard-hitting top spin and his amazing backhand shot which won him many of matches. -
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods ia the most followed golfer of our time. He attended the University of Stanforfd where he won three amateaur golf championships. After this outstanding streak of winning Tiger Woods decided to go pro. In April of 1997 Tiger set a world record with a score of 18 under par. Besides just being a record saving evening he also became the youngest to ever win this event, and also the first African American to win this event also. -
Vonetta Flowers
Vonetta Flowers was first known for her outstanding track speed. Then she made a decision to take her future into Olympic bobsledding. In middle December Vonetta made history she became the first African American female to win a Gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games. She states that she hope she can encourage future black athletes to compete in winter sports. In 2006 Vonetta defended her medal in the winter games in Italy where she placed sixth place.
