CanadianGuitarist Posted January 19, 2005 Report Posted January 19, 2005 Not necessarily the best, but most important? I'd say Jesse Owens, honestly. Four gold medals is phenonenal under any circumstances, but to do it with Hitler watching, is unbelievable. I think it would have been incredible if any non-Aryan had done it, the fact that he was African American is only money in the bank. What do you think?
Guest Salacious Crumb Posted January 19, 2005 Report Posted January 19, 2005 Jack Johnson Bobo Brazil (sure he was a wrestler but he was the first to ever main event AND get cheered by the fans) Robinson
kkktookmybabyaway Posted January 20, 2005 Report Posted January 20, 2005 "Important" is subjective, but my first two thoughts were Ali and Jackie Robinson. Then Donovan McNabb, of course...
Bored Posted January 20, 2005 Report Posted January 20, 2005 http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/blackbu02.shtml
EVIL~! alkeiper Posted January 20, 2005 Report Posted January 20, 2005 I'll throw Rube Foster's name out there. He was a black pitcher who basically got the Negro Leagues off and running. I agree with Ali, Louis, Owens, and Jackie Robinson. I'd also mention Tiger Woods, Satchel Paige, Buck O'Neill, and Hank Aaron.
Guest Rrrsh Posted January 20, 2005 Report Posted January 20, 2005 I'd say Jack Johnson and Jackie are the Top 2.
Guest The Winter Of My Discontent Posted January 20, 2005 Report Posted January 20, 2005 I'll say Jack Johnson. Because he had more balls in 1909 than most athletes do today. He was his own man, he caloused the masses into "tolerating" or "not killing" black athletes when they get into sport. Without Jack opening the doors to Joe Louis and such, Jackie Robinson may not have came into the majors when he did.
EVIL~! alkeiper Posted January 20, 2005 Report Posted January 20, 2005 I'll say Jack Johnson. Because he had more balls in 1909 than most athletes do today. He was his own man, he caloused the masses into "tolerating" or "not killing" black athletes when they get into sport. Without Jack opening the doors to Joe Louis and such, Jackie Robinson may not have came into the majors when he did. Ultimately, Johnson may have set the color line back a generation with his antics. Not that it was wrong to do what he did, but the establishment was SEVERLY pissed at the time, and it was years before another black fighter earned an opportunity at a World Championship.
iggymcfly Posted January 20, 2005 Report Posted January 20, 2005 I'd definitely say Joe Louis. The whole nation adopted him as their own, and he really is the one that first brought the black athlete into the 20th century. Also, boxing is a real sport, whereas track and field's kind of stupid.
MikeJordan23 Posted January 20, 2005 Report Posted January 20, 2005 Also, boxing is a real sport, whereas track and field's kind of stupid. Boxing is kinda "stupid"
Guest The Winter Of My Discontent Posted January 20, 2005 Report Posted January 20, 2005 I'll say Jack Johnson. Because he had more balls in 1909 than most athletes do today. He was his own man, he caloused the masses into "tolerating" or "not killing" black athletes when they get into sport. Without Jack opening the doors to Joe Louis and such, Jackie Robinson may not have came into the majors when he did. Ultimately, Johnson may have set the color line back a generation with his antics. Not that it was wrong to do what he did, but the establishment was SEVERLY pissed at the time, and it was years before another black fighter earned an opportunity at a World Championship. But it took him how many years to finally get his world title shot? He pretty much got it because it was CLEAR he was the best, and everyone knew it. Was anyone else after him until Joe Louis as dominant as he was during his prime? I'd say no.
EVIL~! alkeiper Posted January 20, 2005 Report Posted January 20, 2005 I'll say Jack Johnson. Because he had more balls in 1909 than most athletes do today. He was his own man, he caloused the masses into "tolerating" or "not killing" black athletes when they get into sport. Without Jack opening the doors to Joe Louis and such, Jackie Robinson may not have came into the majors when he did. Ultimately, Johnson may have set the color line back a generation with his antics. Not that it was wrong to do what he did, but the establishment was SEVERLY pissed at the time, and it was years before another black fighter earned an opportunity at a World Championship. But it took him how many years to finally get his world title shot? He pretty much got it because it was CLEAR he was the best, and everyone knew it. Was anyone else after him until Joe Louis as dominant as he was during his prime? I'd say no. Sam Langford, Joe Jeannette, Sam McVey, Harry Wills. ESPECIALLY Harry Wills, whom didn't earn a shot even after the New York State Athletic Commission refused to sanction a Jack Dempsey title fight, unless Wills was the challenger. Jackson didn't get a shot because he was the best. Jackson got a shot because a promoter offered Tommy Burns more money than Burns could refuse.
Vern Gagne Posted January 20, 2005 Report Posted January 20, 2005 "Important" is subjective, but my first two thoughts were Ali and Jackie Robinson. Then Donovan McNabb, of course... Dusty Baker Really. Robinson, Owens, and Louis. Robinson and Owens going into hostile and dangerous environments, and winning alot of crowd over by their performance. Like mentioned earlier, Louis had the support of the Nation against Schmeling.
Black Lushus Posted January 20, 2005 Report Posted January 20, 2005 while he's not the most important, I'd put Arthur Ashe up there somewhere...
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