2008 Woodie Awards
African-American athletes influence on the world of sports
Contributions of famous sports stars are showcased for Black History Month
Gina Murray
Date created: 2/14/05 Section: SPORTS
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"A life is not important except in the impact it has on others' lives."
This was said by Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player in the Major League Baseball, who paved the way for other African-Americans in the world of sports.
February is black history month, and African-Americans have had a huge influence in many different areas of sports. Some sports would not be the same with out the influence of certain black athletes.
What would basketball be without Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson? What would boxing be without Muhammad Ali or baseball without Jackie Robinson? Even in our time, young Tiger Woods broke the color barriers of a white-dominated sport.
Jackie Robinson was born in 1919 in Georgia and just 28 years later, he played in his first Major League Baseball game as a Brooklyn Dodger. That same year, he was awarded the very first Rookie of the Year award by The Sporting News. Before winning that award, Robinson played a few different sports at UCLA, was drafted into the army, and played in the Negro and minor baseball leagues. Robinson faced hostile fans, insults and lots of criticism for playing the game he loved, but, because he didn't back down, he is one of the biggest influences in baseball history.
Michael Jordan is one of the biggest names of basketball ever. When asked who the most influential African-American athlete is, most people say Michael Jordan. He is popular, talented, a true businessman, and a role model to people everywhere. Jordan began his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls in 1984 and ended it with the Washington Wizards in 2003 with a total of 32,292 career points. Jordan is not only talented on the court, but also has had success off the court as a salesman endorsing everything from Nike to Gatorade, Hanes, and even his own line of shoes and clothes. Many say Jordan is a true role model to children because he was such a talented performer and great guy off the court; he showed heart in everything he did. "I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions, I have been entrusted to take the game-winning shot...and missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed," Jordan was quoted as saying.
This was said by Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player in the Major League Baseball, who paved the way for other African-Americans in the world of sports.
February is black history month, and African-Americans have had a huge influence in many different areas of sports. Some sports would not be the same with out the influence of certain black athletes.
What would basketball be without Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson? What would boxing be without Muhammad Ali or baseball without Jackie Robinson? Even in our time, young Tiger Woods broke the color barriers of a white-dominated sport.
Jackie Robinson was born in 1919 in Georgia and just 28 years later, he played in his first Major League Baseball game as a Brooklyn Dodger. That same year, he was awarded the very first Rookie of the Year award by The Sporting News. Before winning that award, Robinson played a few different sports at UCLA, was drafted into the army, and played in the Negro and minor baseball leagues. Robinson faced hostile fans, insults and lots of criticism for playing the game he loved, but, because he didn't back down, he is one of the biggest influences in baseball history.
Michael Jordan is one of the biggest names of basketball ever. When asked who the most influential African-American athlete is, most people say Michael Jordan. He is popular, talented, a true businessman, and a role model to people everywhere. Jordan began his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls in 1984 and ended it with the Washington Wizards in 2003 with a total of 32,292 career points. Jordan is not only talented on the court, but also has had success off the court as a salesman endorsing everything from Nike to Gatorade, Hanes, and even his own line of shoes and clothes. Many say Jordan is a true role model to children because he was such a talented performer and great guy off the court; he showed heart in everything he did. "I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions, I have been entrusted to take the game-winning shot...and missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed," Jordan was quoted as saying.
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