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- Michael Jordan. Where he ranks on: Dominance: 1 Impact on Society: 4 Inspiration: 4 4 1 What does it take to be deemed the greatest of all time? A perfect combination of dominance, impact and inspiration — which Michael Jordan has surely possessed throughout his career, from the time he was cut from varsity as a sophomore in high school to building his own billion-dollar brand.
- Jackie Robinson. Where he ranks on: Dominance: 17 Impact on Society: 1 Inspiration: 1 17 1 Jackie Robinson wasn’t asked to break the Major League Baseball color barrier because he was the Negro Leagues’ best player.
- Muhammad Ali. Where he ranks on: Dominance: 2 Impact on Society: 8 Inspiration: 5 8 5 2 Born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1942, Muhammad Ali became a household name after a gold medal display at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.
- Willie Mays. Where he ranks on: Dominance: 6 Impact on Society: 2 Inspiration: 2 6 2 Hit for average, hit for power, run, throw and field — those are the required skills of a coveted “five-tool” player, who are few and far between in Major League Baseball.
Jul 22, 2021 · An ongoing list of history-making famous Black athletes to know, representing a wide variety of sports. You'll see many of these women at the Olympics.
- Jackie Robinson. Baseball player Jackie Robinson, an influential African American, broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947. Throughout his career, he encountered bigotry and discrimination, but he persisted and went on to become one of baseball’s greatest players.
- Bill Russell. For 13 seasons, Bill Russell dominated the NBA, helping the Boston Celtics to 11 titles. He was a defensive guru, finishing first in the NBA in both steals and rebounds five times.
- Muhammad Ali. Many people consider Muhammad Ali, a three-time heavyweight champion, to be the greatest boxer to ever live. He was also an outspoken supporter of civil rights and a stand against racism.
- Jim Brown. For nine seasons in the NFL, Jim Brown dominated as a running back, amassing over 12,000 yards of total rushing and scoring 100 touchdowns.
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee
- Willie Mays
- Laila Ali
- Muhammad Ali
- Althea Gibson
- Bo Jackson
- Lisa Leslie
- Maya Moore
- Willie O'Ree
- Barry Bonds
A six-time Olympic medalist, Jackie Joyner-Kersee is one of track and field's most decorated athletes. Joyner-Kersee also won four world championships. A native of East St. Louis, she spoke out about overcoming asthmathroughout her career.
Ted Williams once said they invented the MLB All-Star Game for Willie Mays. A 24-time All-Star, Mays is one of baseball's most accomplished players, but he also advocated for Black American athletes during his career. In the 1950s, Mays helped organize traveling toursthat showcased some of the game's best unseen Black talent.
An undefeated world boxing champion, Laila Ali sought to change perceptions of women in prizefighting. As the daughter of Muhammad Ali, Laila Ali's fights drew more media attention to women's boxing. In retirement, Laila Ali has often spoken out on social issues.
Few American athletes have had an impact on society like Muhammad Ali. Born Cassius Clay, Ali, who converted to Islam, was a standout boxing champion who mastered the art of the interview and was not afraid to speak out against issues he deemed unjust. Later in life, Ali became a high-profile spokesperson in the battle to find a cure for Parkinson'...
In 1950, Althea Gibson became the first Black tennis player to compete at the U.S. National Championships. Six years later, Gibson became the first Black athlete to win a tennis grand slam tournament, capturing the 1956 French Open. Gibson won five singles grand slam tourneys, and in 2019, a statuewas unveiled in her honor on the grounds of the U.S...
A two-sport star in professional baseball and football, Bo Jackson helped redefine athletics in the 1980s. A hip injury incurred while playing football derailed Jackson's career in both sports, but the glimpses of power, speed, and acumen were almost revelatory. Jackson's versatility inspired future star athletesto compete in as many sports as poss...
A three-time WNBA most valuable player and two-time WNBA champion, Lisa Leslie is a pioneer of women's pro basketball. At center, Leslie was a force on both ends of the floor but proved to be equally resonant off the court. Leslie helped change perceptions of female athletes by regularly modeling for fashion, and returning to the court after taking...
After winning a bevy of championships in college and the WNBA, Maya Moore stepped away from the game last season to advocate for prison reform. Moore, a six-time WNBA All-Star, has also protested against police violence.
In 1958, Willie O'Ree became the NHL's first Black player. O'Ree only played 45 games but still remains invested in hockey and growing diversityin the sport.
Barry Bonds holds MLB records for most career home runs (762) and most home runs in a single season (73). However, Bonds' legacy is complicated, clouded by suspected use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). For much of the 2000s, Bonds was a polarizing figure, clearly a monumental athlete who stirred controversyover PED usage in professional spor...
Feb 9, 2012 · From the aforementioned names of Jordan and Woods to legends like Jackie Robinson and Althea Gibson, these are 25 Black Athletes Who Changed the World.
Jan 26, 2023 · The most influential Black athletes of all time broke down barriers and became sports icons during their careers.
Jun 3, 2022 · 9 Black Athletes Who Integrated Professional Sports. After WWII, racial barriers in sports slowly began to drop. Jackie Robinson was not the only athlete on the front lines of these changes....
