Olympics
Pre-1950s
Politics & African American Athletes
1950s and After
African American Athletes in Popular Culture
100

In 1936, he won the gold at the 100 m dash, upsetting Hitler and becoming an American icon

Who is Jesse Owens?

100

In 1910, this African American boxer defeated James Jeffries in the "Fight of the Century" to become the Heavyweight Champion of the World

Who is Jack Johnson?

100

This African American boxer fused together the Civil Rights and Anti-War Movements after refusing to fight in the Vietnam War

Who is Muhammad Ali?

100

On April 8, 1974 this African American slugger beat Babe Ruth's record for the most career homeruns in MLB History

Who is Hank Aaron?

100

The movie 42 tells the story of this man, who became the man to break MLB's color barrier

Who is Jackie Robinson?

200

In 1960, she won the 100 m, 200 m and 400 m races and forced her hometown to host an integrated parade for her

Who is Wilma Rudolph?

200

This African American boxer became the most beloved African American athlete of all time after defeating a German boxer prior to WW2

Who is Joe Louis?

200

BONUS: In 2016, this African American Quarterback set off a firestorm after kneeling during the American National Anthem in protest of police brutality

Who is Colin Kaepernick?

200

This star Celtics player became the first African American Head Coach in the NBA

Who is Bill Russell?

200

This man became known as the Ultimate Endorsement Man, after signing mega deals with companies like Nike and starring in Space Jam

Who is Michael Jordan?

300

At the 1968 Olympics, these athletes became pariahs in the United States after protesting during the American National Anthem?

Who are Tommie Smith and John Carlos?

300

This sport was the first major sport that African Americans became involved in, with 13 of 14 participants at an event in 1875 being African American

What is Horse Racing?

300

This star African American football player tried to help other African Americans financially by helping to create the Black Economic Union

Who is Jim Brown?

300

These two African Americans became the first African American woman and African American Man to win Wimbledon respectively

Who are Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe?

300
This man's advertisement running in the airport was the first major sponsorship deal between an African American athlete and a corporation

Who is O.J. Simpson?

400

Overshadowed by another Black runner at the 1936 Olympics, he won the 800 m race

Who is John Woodruff?

400

This man was the first African American All American in College Football

Who is Fritz Pollard?

400

In the 1970s, Kurt Flood was traded to the Phillies and challenged this MLB rule, but ultimately lost in court

What is the Reserve Clause?

400

In Fall 1970, the performance of this USC Running Back lead the University of Alabama to integrate their football program

Who is Randall Cunningham?

400

BONUS: This pair of tennis playing sisters helped pioneer the role of the African American female athlete in receiving endorsements

Who are the Williams sisters?

500

BONUS: In 1948, she became the first African American woman to win a Gold medal (not included in the documentary)

Who is Alice Coachman?

500

This African American man won the Kentucky Derby three times

Who is Issac Murphy?

500

The PGA's Caucasian Clause was repealed in 1961, two years after granting membership to this African American golfer

Who is Charlie Sifford?

500

In 1974, this African American became the first African American manager in MLB History

Who is Frank Robinson?

500

When he entered the NBA, he brought with him the concept of street ball into the league

Who is Julius Irving?

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