Congrats Barack

In appreciation of President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration; I would like to look back at the path that was paved, in the athletic field, in order for this momentous event to be had. While leaders like Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King are very important to the fight against oppression, many athletes have had intricate roles in order for American racism to be seen by the entire world. President Obama, congratulations and I personally believe these are going to be four of the best years in United States history.

Jack Johnson was the first African-American heavyweight champion of the world. He was the best boxer of his generation and helped show the athleticism that can be used in boxing. Before his appearance into the sport, many boxers dueled it out in the middle of the ring. It seemed as if the fight were about who could take more punches, not who was the better fighter. Johnson was a master of the sport and had a very patient strategy in the game. He would often feel his opponent out in the beginning of fights only to come down with powerful punches in the later rounds. His 89 win (49 by knockout) and 2 loss record is astounding. He paved the way for future boxers like Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, and Mike Tyson to become stars in their eras.

Jesse Owens pretty much gave a big middle finger to the one man who wanted to see him fail most…and he wasn’t even an American. During the 1936 Olympics in Hitler ruled Germany, Owens won four gold medals in the 100, 200, 4x100 and long jump against what was supposed to be the superior Germans. The four gold medals won by Owens would not be matched until Carl Lewis did the same in 1984. Also, during the playing of our national anthem after Owens won a gold medal, he politely saluted our flag while a German next to him (and around the stadium) did their infamous Heil Hitler salute. This was a very poor showing of unsportsmanlike conduct during the Olympic Games because when two African-American athletes showed their pride in being black during the 1968 Olympics, they were banned from participating in the Olympics for life. Tommie Smith (Gold) and John Carlos (Bronze) raised their black gloved fists during the national anthem in protest of the oppression they, and their ancestors, had received in our nation. The Germans protest was a mere act of defiance to a superior competitor…disgusting.

Jackie Robinson, the first African-American man to play Major League Baseball, was an incredible second baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers. From 1947-1956, Robinson accumulated 1518 hits, 137 homers, and a .311 batting average. He went to the World Series six times and won it once in 1955. He brought a whole new style to baseball where his speed was more of a commodity than his slugging power. Robinson stole home a record 19 times and remarkably, none of these steals were from double steals. That kind of speed is hard to come by and the criticism he had to deal with proved how great a man this is. His number 42 was retired by the MLB in 1997 making him the only player in league history to have his number retired. Only players who wore the number before this time were allowed to keep it and Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees is the only active one left.

Wilt the stilt Chamberlain is one of the NBA’s greats. Before playing for the NBA, Chamberlain was a Harlem Globetrotter, where he showcased his phenomenal talents with a basketball. His number (13) was later retired by the Globetrotters. He won two championships with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972. Four time MVP, 13 All-Star selections, and had a career 31,419 points (ranks fourth in career points). Of his many records, he also scored a measly 100 points in a single game…where’s the effort Wilt? He was a god amongst mortals when he played and, quite possibly, is the most athletic seven-footer that has ever played.

Growing up, Ken Griffey Jr. was the man. He was a young kid that everyone adored. While he is currently a free agent, he will most likely be picked up in the near future. He was a new type of athlete that could be cool, yet sophisticated, cocky, but not a punk. He has played for three teams in the MLB including the Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, and most recently the Chicago White Sox. His career has been riddled with injuries and if this was not the case he would have most likely beat Barry Bonds’ “record” for home runs. He played on a Mariners team with Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, and Edgar Martinez, yet he has still not won a World Series. Don’t let that sell him short though because he is definitely a first round Hall of Famer. His 611 homers, 1772 RBIs and 2679 hits in his 20 years is astounding seeing as he has played less than 100 games four times (that number is including the 1994 baseball strike where he played in 111 games).

Do I really need to explain Michael Jordan? I mean I will, but still the man IS professional basketball. Griffey probably modeled his style as a celebrity after Jordan. He has done plenty of charity work and starred in one of my favorite movies as a kid (‘Welcome to the Space Jam, here’s your chance, do your dance at the Space Jam…alright’ you know you loved it too). On the court he was never known as a dirty or disrespectful player like many players today (cough Jermaine O’Neal, Ron Artest cough). And how many people do you know that are known by one name…and aren’t super annoying? (Don’t come at me with Cher, or Madonna…you know they are annoying as h, e, double hockey sticks)

Jackie Joyner-Kersee is quite possibly the most athletic woman ever. She won three gold medals in the Olympics and set records in the long jump and heptathlon (still holds the heptathlon record). She was chosen as the Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated. Outside of the track world, Joyner-Kersee has started several charity groups that improve the lives of many different individuals. The Jackie Joyner-Kersee foundation “provide[s] youth, adults, and families with the resources to improve their quality of life and to enhance communities worldwide, with special attention directed to East St. Louis, Illinois.” (http://www.jackiejoyner-kerseefoundation.org/). “Athletes for Hope” was started by several famous athletes in hopes to “educate, encourage and assist athletes in their efforts to contribute to community and charitable causes, to increase public awareness of those efforts, and to inspire others to do the same.” “Athletes for Hope” is an extraordinary program that helps get athletes involved.

In his 15 year career, Reggie White touched many people. While he was a large, brooding man on the field, White was a very religious, kind man off the field. He was considered the “Minister of Defense” because of his religious ways. White is quoted saying “Jesus is coming back soon and I hope you’re ready,” to a rookie tackle who was using foul language toward White. White kept saying the same thing continuously and on the very next play, plowed through the rookie and sacked the quarterback. Aside from his intimidation factor, White made 13 consecutive Pro Bowls (1986-98) and is number two for career sacks (198) only behind Bruce Smith (200). Won Super Bowl XXXI and had a Super Bowl Record three sacks. White had over a thousand tackles and recorded three interceptions as a defensive end. He also, received the defensive player of the year award twice.

Now that Barack Obama has been inaugurated as President of the United States of America, the tribulations of these African-American athletes (and millions of other African-American citizens) have been well worth the success that we now show. Not only has our country ridded itself of historically the most unpopular president (according to Gallup polls), but we have also turned a new leaf in electing an African-American President. Civil Rights leaders throughout history have succeeded in the process of equality for African-Americans