-
Cyclist: Marshall Taylor
Marshall Taylor was the first African American to make an impact on American sport. Taylor was an African American cyclist from a small rural town in Indiana. At the age of 12, Taylor recieved his first bicycle and began performing tricks. By the age of 16, Taylor began competing in races. By 21, Taylor had won the World Championship in cycling and recieved the nickname "Black Cyclone." Taylor became the first African American to win a title. -
Period: to
The Journey Though African Americans in Sports
African American found sport as a necessity for physical and psychological survival. -
Boxing:Jack Johnson
He became the first African American heavywieght boxing champion of the world from 1908-1915. He was said to be a heavy influence boxing superstar Muhammad Ali. His willingness on tradition and popular opinion to be his own man. Johnson's technique defeated an entire division's best. His winnings made him a figure of historic significance during the early twentieth century. -
Olympics: Jesse Owens
In the summer of 1936 Jesse Owens entered the Olympics in Berlin, Germany .He became the first American track & field athlete to win four gold medals in a single Olympiad. He remains the best remembered Olympic athlete because he achieved what no Olympian before.Jesse accomplished what many experts still feel is the greatest athletic in history.He.set 3 world records and tying a fourth in four grueling track and field events. -
Baseball: Jackie Robinson
He is the first African American to join Major Legue baseball. He was the first to be elected to the baseball hall of fame.In 1949, he was selected as the NL's Most Valuable player of the Year. Also, he won the batting title with a .342 average that same year. Jackie Robinson became famous for breaking the color barrier. His life and legacy will be remembered as one of the most important in American history. Robinson said "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." -
Football: Willie Thrower
Willie Thrower bcame the NFL's first African American quaterback when he recieved a contact from the Chicago Bears as a back up quaterback. In 1953, he saw playing time when he came in for Bears quaterback George Blanda. As a college player, he broke new ground, becoming the first African American quarterback to play in the Big Ten Conference. During the game, he completed three out of eight passes for a total of 27 yards. Thrower's professional career, however, was short-lived. -
Tennis: Althea Gibson
She was the first African Amercian ever to win national tennis chapionship including the U.S. Open, French Open, Austrailian Doubles, and Wimbleton. During this career, she won 56 doubles and singles titles before gaining national and international acclaim for her athletic defeats in professional tennis leagues. Gibson was the first African American to be named as the Female Athlete of the Year in 1957. -
Soccer: Otey Cannon
Otey Cannon was the first African American to play in the North America Soccer League. Although the NASL wasn't segregated as other sports, Cannon was the first to recieve a professional contract. Cannon signed with the Dallas Tornadoes before he signed with the Seattle Sounders. Cannon only scored one proffesional goal during his career. -
Basketball: Micheal Jordon
Micheal Jordon Transformed Micheal Jordon is considered the greatest basketball player. He helped the team make it to the playoffs and scored an average of 28.2 points per game that season. For his efforts, Jordan received the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and was selected for the All-Star Game.MJ led the Chicago bulls to six NBA titiles. He also played 14 times in NBA all-star games. -
Hockey: Mike Grier
San Jose Sharks Mike Grier was the first African American born and trained in the U.S. to play in the National Hockey League.He made162 goals and 383 points during that time.He will be remembered more for his twork ethic and his leadership qualities. -
Golf: Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer to ever play the game. Tiger Woods achevements place him among the elite golfers of the world. In his caeer, he has already won 4 Masters tournaments, 3 U.S. opens, and 71 GPA tours. Tiger became the first ever to hold all four professional major championships at the same time.
