African Americans in 20th Century Sports
African American Athletes in the 20th Century The world of sports wasn’t always the fun and games that we see today. In the 21st century the world of sports is decorated with many talented African American athletes from soccer, to hockey, to basketball, to baseball. African American athletes in the 20th century had to fight through the race barrier and face up against unbeatable odds to be able to do what they love. Jackie Robinson, Jack Johnson, and Jesse Owens are all African American athletes who went through the segregation of pro sports to help pave the way for future pro athletes such as Usain Bolt, Michael Jordan, and many more famous African American Athletes in today’s world. Jackie Robinson was the first African American baseball player, Jack Johnson a heavyweight boxing champion of the world, and Jesse Owen’s a four time gold medalist at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. These three men fought through the race barrier to not only helped African American’s become more easily accepted into the world of professional sports but also in the real world.
First of all, although Jackie Robinson was not the best African American baseball player of his time, his attitude and ability to handle racist harassment led the way for the rest of his race to play Major League Baseball, amongst other sports. He opened the door for his entire race to play professional sports and gain acceptance as more desegregation took place. After fighting in World War II from 1941 until 1944, Jackie played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues from 1944 until 1946. In 1946, he was selected as the best person to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball. In 1943, Branch Rickey, general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers at the time, had an idea though to be outrageous by many during that period. He considered signing some black players to make up for the wartime shortage of talent. He narrowed down the list of prospects, searching for the best player to integrate
First of all, although Jackie Robinson was not the best African American baseball player of his time, his attitude and ability to handle racist harassment led the way for the rest of his race to play Major League Baseball, amongst other sports. He opened the door for his entire race to play professional sports and gain acceptance as more desegregation took place. After fighting in World War II from 1941 until 1944, Jackie played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues from 1944 until 1946. In 1946, he was selected as the best person to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball. In 1943, Branch Rickey, general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers at the time, had an idea though to be outrageous by many during that period. He considered signing some black players to make up for the wartime shortage of talent. He narrowed down the list of prospects, searching for the best player to integrate