For much of the late 19th and early 20th century, Black athletes were subjected to severe racial, social, and economic challenges.
But trailblazers like Althea Gibson and Jackie Robinson shattered those unjust barriers, opening up the floodgates for today’s stars to thrive.
African-American athletes have since continued to break feats and dominate the world of sports in every way possible.
Not only did these inspiring individuals excel in their respective sports, but they also stood up for their community and used their fame to push for more inclusion both on and off the field.
This article showcases Black athletes who have played a significant role in shaping society and are considered the greatest of all time.
Jesse Owens
Known as “The Buckeye Bullet,” Jesse Owens was amongst the most famous track and field athletes of his time. At the age of nine, Owens discovered his passion for track and, soon enough, was setting records in high school in the long jump and 100 and 200-yard dashes. However, it was in 1936 when the field superstar caught the world’s attention at the Berlin Olympic Games.
Owens competed at the height of Nazism in Germany when Hitler argued that his white Aryan athletes were superior to everyone else. Owens disapproved of the notion and single-handedly broke this ideology by winning four gold medals and five world records.
Rather than refusing to participate in “Hitler’s Games,” Owens used his position in the limelight to showcase the compassion and greatness that can be achieved outside society’s cultural and political constraints. He later took on the role of Goodwill Ambassador, raising awareness about poverty and the importance of the Olympic Games in promoting world peace. Owens spent the rest of his life as a champion for underprivileged children, building community medical centers and youth clubs nationally.
“I let my feet stay as little on the ground as possible. From the ground, fast up, and from the air, fast down.” Owens explained the secret behind his success.
Simone Biles
A winner of seven Olympic Medals and twenty-five World Gymnastic Championship Medals – at just the age of 26 – Simone Biles is a great Black American athlete and role model – in the gym and beyond.
Despite all her accomplishments in her early career, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for the gymnast, and she’s had her share of problems outside of the sport. In 2018, in the wake of the #metoo movement, Biles came forward alongside many of her teammates about being sexually abused by the former US gymnastics team physician.
She also later addressed the misconduct by the federation, describing her frustration with officials who were complicit and didn’t do anything to protect her and the others affected by the abuse. Her strong voice and courage enabled the man to be convicted of his crimes and the US Gymnast System to become a safer environment for young athletes.
Biles has been in the headlines again this year with her promotion of mental health in sports. Having withdrawn from several events just days before to preserve her mental health, many applaud her bravery. It is because of her unfiltered conversation on anxiety and mental health that people are talking more about these topics and taking steps to help the victims.
“According to me, mental health comes first. Sometimes, it is completely alright to focus on yourself, even if it means sitting out the big competitions. It shows how strong you are as a person and competitor instead of just fighting your way through,” she discussed at a press conference.
Currently, Biles uses her notoriety to encourage young girls and women to pursue their goals and be confident in their lives. Her extraordinary talent, power, and relentless determination make her one of the top sportsmen in the world.
Naomi Osaka
Multiracial tennis star Naomi Osaka remains at the top of the charts for holding the title of the highest-paid female athlete globally – twice in a row. But that’s not why she’s on our line-up.
The legendary player has been making a name for her activism off the court. She has used her abilities in sports as a means of social change. Following the Black Lives Matter movement of 2020, she boycotted the Cincinnati Open as a stance against the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Then, at the US Open, Osaka made a statement with her black mask on the court, with each match wearing the name of a Black person who needlessly lost their lives to social inequality. “Before I am an athlete, I am a Black woman,” she stated on social media.
But that’s not it. Osaka continues to use her global fame as a platform to share her struggles with mental health, which is why she took a stand against being forced to do press interviews around her matches. “I get huge waves of anxiety when speaking to the world’s media,” she addressed.
Female athletes, in particular, felt empowered by Osaka’s bravery. Since coming forward, Osaka has inspired numerous athletes to speak about their struggles with mental health. In 2020, she was featured as the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year.
Muhammad Ali
A charismatic and fearless boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, fascinated the world with his unmatched skills in the ring and unwavering compassion outside it.
Ali started a different kind of fight in 1966 when he refused to serve in the Vietnam War and became a conscientious objector. He was arrested almost immediately and was stripped of his titles and boxing license.
However, while many in the media heavily criticized Ali’s actions, he had the support of hundreds and thousands of people and, more importantly, the growing momentum of the burgeoning civil rights movement at his back. After getting his sentence suspended on the appeal, he visited universities nationwide to voice his support for civil rights and gain more support for the cause.
With Ali’s boxing license restored in 1970, he came back strong. He won the heavyweight title back in 1974 in his infamous ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ against George Foreman. Having reasserted his boxing status, he had also solidified his position as a philanthropist and civil rights advocate.
This Black History Month, let’s remember not just the enigmatic boxer who could “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” but also the heroic man who suffered the consequences for standing up for his people and principles.
The story and legacy of Muhammad Ali and other champions of change from the Black community will continue to inspire people for generations to come. In the face of overwhelming adversity and a society that didn’t want them to flourish, these folks showed resilience and helped create bigger movements toward justice.
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