The realm of sports is full of empowering stories and remarkable characters. In this article, you can find a list of these characters and a brief overview of their achievements and circumstances with a list of some of the most famous black athletes in history of our time, here to inspire and educate others about the history of sport.
Doug Williams
Let’s begin with Doug Williams, who is best known for the short but unforgettable period that he spent playing with the Washington Redskins later on in his career. To be remembered is the year 1988 when he led the franchise to a Super Bowl win and became the first Black quarterback to win a Superbowl which is only one of many achievements Douglas reached in his career, though, as he was also the first Black quarterback to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft.
As well as that, he also helped in the development of another franchise in Tampa Bay – the Buccaneers, who were struggling, and led three playoff appearances in his first five NFL seasons. Later on, he took his space away from the Buccaneers as he had a dispute with Hugs Culverhouse but he became an NFL executive in 1986 and mentored many other Black quarterbacks.
Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson is one of the richest NBA players of all time and with his unique personality, he conquered the hearts of many sports enthusiasts all over the world. He was named NBA Most Valuable Player. His playing style and his unusual height (he was 6 foot tall) made him become one of the most unforgettable figures in the history of the NBA and sports as a whole. Not to mention his influence in pop culture and his reputation as one of the most famous antiheroes of all time.
Mike Tyson
It is impossible to draft a list of the most influential Black athletes of all time without including Mike Tyson. He became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time when he won the title by defeating Trevor Berkick back in 1986, just a little past his 20th birthday.
His story is often looked at as one of the most controversial stories of all time and it comes with its own set of mysteries, tragedies and points of contention. Regardless of what people might think and say about Mike Tyson as a person, he remains one of the pillars of the history of sports.
LeBron James
It is safe to say that LeBron James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time as he won four NBA championships with three different franchises. Together with that, he also won four NBA MVP trophies. His willingness to speak his mind about social issues also helped him develop his career and public persona in the field of culture, aside from his important achievements in sports. He is now a global icon, one of the richests athletes and many young people consider him a model to emulate and follow.
Florence Griffith Joyner
Florence Griffith Joyner was a UCLA sprinter who tragically missed out on the Olympics in 1980 after the United States boycotted the Summer Games. She returned to the field in 1984 and won gold medals in the 100, 300, and 4×100 relay.
Her success had a ripple effect and motivated many women to pursue a career in the field of sports. She headed to the 1988 Summer Olympics and became well known for her fashion choices, as she used to wear unconventional technical clothes on the field, such as the one-legger sprint suit and six-inch nails. Her premature departure made the whole world of sports cry, and she won’t be forgotten.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Jackie Joyner-Kersee medaled in four consecutive Olympics. She is also a former UCLA basketball star, with her highest achievement being the gold medal won during the 1988 Seoul Olympics, both in the heptathlon and the long jump. She confessed that her inspiration came from Olympic star Babe Didrikson, and it surely worked its magic, as Jackie won the gold medal again in the heptathlon field during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams is often referred to as one of the greatest tennis players of all time as she won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and aside from that, she and her sister Venus have also made amazing progress in being ambassadors for the sport and helped break down barriers facing black tennis players. They helped create a more inclusive atmosphere within the field of tennis and sports as a whole.
Her personality and personal goals have helped many people in the world get inspiration and move towards a career in the field of sports. This was a list of some of the most famous Black athletes, but many other names will feature in this kind of list in the future.
