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Moses Fleetwood Walker
Moses Fleetwood Walker was the first official african american baseball player on a major league team. Moses initially signed with a minor league team, the toledo blue stockings of the northwestern league in 1883. Finally in 1884 walker joined the major league association in which he would become a coach. -
Fritz Pollard
On August 4 1921 Fritz Pollard became the first african american to coach in the nfl. Fritz himself was a football player, although his career was short lived he did mange to however get to play in the rose bowl. Also in 2005 Pollard was inducted to the pro football hall of fame -
Charles Cooper
Charles Cooper was the first african american to be signed to an nba team which was the New York Knickerbockers in 1950. Later on charles played for six years with the boston celtics. -
John O'Neil
John O'Neil was named the first black coach in the major leagues by the cubs in 1962. After many years with the cubs O'Neil became a kansas city royals scout in 1988 and was named midwest scout of the year in 1998. In 1990 O'Neil led the effort to establish the negro leagues baseball museum in kansas city. -
Arthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe TributeOn February 12 1966 Arthur Ashe became the first african american to be picked for the US Davis cup team. He won three grand slam titles making him one of the best tennis players ever. He was also the first male african american to win the singles title at the U.S. open. -
Bill Russell
On October 15 1966 Bill Russell became the first african american to coach an NBA team. Bill Russell played for the boston celtics before becoming the head coach in 1966. He also lead the celtics to 11 nba championships. -
Debi Thomas
Debi Thomas became the first african american to win the bronze medal in the 1988 winter olympics. She won both the U.S national title and world chamionship in 1986, Also debi was the first african american to the U.S. national title in ladies singles figure skating, -
Mike Grier
On October 4 1993 Mike Grier became the first african american to be trained in the United States to play in the national hockey league. Grier was the ninth round draft pick of St. Louis in 1993. He played for St. Louis as a checking forward for 14 nhl seasons. -
Vonetta Flowers
Vonetta Flowers was the first african american athlete from any country to ever win an olympic winter games gold medal. In the 2002 olympics in salt lake city Vonetta Flowers earned the USA a
olympic gold medal ending the United States 46 year medal drought in bobsled. -
Shani Davis
On February 18 2006 Shani Davis became the first african american to win a gold medal in the 1000 metrer speed skating competition at the 2006 winter olympic games in Turin, Italy. He also won the silver in the 1,500m.
