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Marshall Taylor
Although ofter overlooked, 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. -
George Poage
Although the first official Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece, the first African American Olympian would not be seen until 1904. George Poage competed in the 1904 Summer Olympic Games during the St. Louis World Fair. Poage would win two bronze medals in the 200 Meter Hurdle, and the 400 Meter Hurdle. 1904 also saw Poage win his alma mater the University of Wisconsin the Big Ten Track Championship. -
Fritz Pollard
Frederick "Fritz" Pollard became the first African American head coach the in National Football League in 1921. While having a very short professional career, Pollard was very successful. While attending Brown University, he played in the 1916 Rose Bowl. After going pro and signing for the Akron Pros who would win the championship in 1920, he would become coach the following year. Even in today's society, there is a low number of minority coaches in the NFL. -
Owens wins four gold medals in the Olympic Games sets new world records.
Jesse Owens became an American hero after an amazing performance at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. At the time, Germany was ruled by Adolph Hitler who absurdly believed other races were inferior to whites. Jessie proved Hitler's racist ideas wrong by winning the gold medal in the long jump, the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, and the 4x100-meter relay. Jesse Owens Wins 100m Olympic Gold in front of Hitler at 1936 -
Jackie Robinson
Roosevelt Robinson, also known as Jackie, played a massive role in breaking the color barrier in American sports. Robinson attended UCLA where he not only played baseball, but as well as football. After he graduated, Robinson signed to a minor league team the Montreal Royals. After one year, the Dodgers called Robinson up to the majors. Although Robinson was constantly heckled his rookie year, he went on to win the MLB Rookie of the Year trophy in 1947 and then the National League MVP in 1949. -
Althena Gibson
Althena Gibson wins at Wimbleton in 1957Althea Gibson was the first African American to win a grand slam title in Tennis. Gibson is often considered the "Jackie Robinson of tennis" due to the lack of diversity that existed in tennis. Even in today's society, tennis is predominatly white due to socioeconomic status holds minorities back from participating in "leisure" sports such as golf and tennis. Although Gibson was the first, she paved the way for others like Venus and Serena Williams. -
Charlie Sifford
Charlie Sifford was the first to break the color barrier in golf. Starting off as a caddy, Sifford always dreamed of going professional. Although he was invited to his first PGA event in 1952, he did not participate due to threats and racial abuse. In 1961 Sifford became an official member of the PGA tour and won two official money events that year. Tiger Woods often praises Sifford for how he changed the game. -
Otey Cannon
Otey Cannon was the first African American to play in the North America Soccer League. Although the NASL wasn't necessarily as segregated as other sports, Cannon was the first to get 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. -
Sheryl Swoopes
Sheryl Swoops was the first player signed when the WNBA was created. Swoops has had a lustrious career, winning three olympic gold medals, one bronze medal, and a laundry list of other awards and honors such as WNBA all star and MVP awards. Not only was she the first player to be signed in the WNBA, but is also referred to as the "female Michael Jordan." -
Candace Parker
Candace Parker was the second female participant in a national dunk contest. In the previous year, McDonald's All-American Brittany Hunter competed but failed to complete any dunks. So the year Parker competed, she became the first female to win the slam dunk contest at the McDonald's High School All-America competition. Parker wins dunk contest
