This came up on PTI just now

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

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?

[MikeJordan23 0]

Joe Louis

Ali

Robinson

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

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 0]

"Important" is subjective, but my first two thoughts were Ali and Jackie Robinson.

 

Then Donovan McNabb, of course...

[Bored 0]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/blackbu02.shtml

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

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]

I'd say Jack Johnson and Jackie are the Top 2.

[Guest ShamRock]

Pele

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

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.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Michael Vick.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

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 0]

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 0]

Also, boxing is a real sport, whereas track and field's kind of stupid.

 

Boxing is kinda "stupid"

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

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 0]

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 0]

"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.

[Precious Roy 0]

Slava Mdvedenko

[Black Lushus 0]

while he's not the most important, I'd put Arthur Ashe up there somewhere...