Famous African American Athletes - List of Famous African American Athletes
A sport is not just another means of recreation anymore. Over the years, it has also emerged as a form of entertainment. A few athletes alone have managed to turn even the most boring matches into nail-biting contest. They have managed to get people glued to their television screens and hundreds of spectators to the nearest stadiums. African American athletes, in particular, are known not just for their stamina and great physique, but their ability to turn the tables in even the toughest of situations. Be it cricket, Basketball, Tennis, wrestling, golf or football, African American athletes have been outstanding achievers in almost every sport. Basketball players like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, in that regard, have been the poster boys of the sport. They have gifted basketball players several unforgettable nail-biting moments. Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali’s career record has been unbeatable till date. Ali has won most of the matches he has participated in and has been more of a nightmare to most of his opponents. The boxer’s life was also the inspiration behind the critically and commercially acclaimed biopic ‘Ali’. A few other noteworthy African American athletes who are popular for their abilities are Tennis stars Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Arthur Ashe, ace golfer Tiger Woods, as well as yesteryear baseball star Jackie Robinson. Here’s a list which consists of the names of several African American athletes who are now legendary figures and are the role models of several budding sportsmen.
Check out the list of notable African American Athletes. Some of the notable African American Athletes are Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Robinson, Tiger Woods, Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens.
The Most Famous African American Athletes | |||
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Name | Birthday | Nationality | Bio |
Mike Tyson | June 30, 1966 | American | Mike Tyson is a former heavyweight boxing champion, known for his ferocious and intimidating style |
Muhammad Ali | January 17, 1942 | American | Muhammad Ali was a legendary boxer who became the first and only three-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion |
Leon Spinks | July 11, 1953 | American | Leon Spinks is an American former boxer who became the world heavyweight champion in 1978 |
Serena Williams | September 26, 1981 | American | Serena Williams is an all-time great women's tennis player |
Kobe Bryant | August 23, 1978 | American | Kobe Bryant is one of the most significant contemporary American basketball player who plays for the ‘Los Angeles Lakers’ |
Michael Jordan | February 17, 1963 | American | Michael Jordan is a retired basketball player, known for being the ‘NBA’ champion on six occasions |
Michael Johnson | September 13, 1967 | American | Michael Johnson is a record-breaking sprinter, who has won several gold medals |
Jackie Robinson | January 31, 1919 | American | Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play in the Major League Baseball (MLB) |
Jesse Owens | September 12, 1913 | American | Jesse Owens was a legendary track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics |
George Foreman | January 10, 1949 | American | Famously known to the world as ‘Big George’, George Foreman is a former World Heavy Weight Champion, Olympic gold medalist, a pitch man, an entrepreneur and an author |
Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis is one of the greatest track and field athletes that the sporting world has till date witnessed
Bill Russell
Bill Russell is a retired basketball player widely considered one of the best players in NBA history
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Jackie Joyner-Kersee is an American retired track and field athlete who won three Olympic gold medals at different games
Arthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe was a professional tennis player, and the first black man ever to win singles title at at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open
Leon Spinks
Leon Spinks is an American former boxer who became the world heavyweight champion in 1978
Jack Johnson (Boxer)
Jack Johnson was the first African American to become the world’s heavyweight boxing champion
Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph was an American sprinter who was considered the fastest woman of her times
Willie Mays
Willie Mays is a retired American professional baseball player who was a center fielder with the New York and San Francisco Giants for the most of his career
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is a professional golfer and one of the most successful golfers of all time
Althea Gibson
An American tennis player, professional golfer, Althea Gibson was the first woman, of African-American origin, to carve a niche in the international tennis arena