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Famous Black Athletes
They've sprinted, served, batted, slam-dunked and TKO'd their way into sports history. Sprinter Jesse Owens's Olympic triumphs put Hitler to shame. Basketball star Michael Jordan taught kids that they could fly. Gymnast Gabby Douglas showed that champions can come in pint-size packages, and Tiger Woods brought the game of golf to another level. Explore biographies of famous black athletes who broke records and barriers and, ultimately, captured our imaginations.
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Featured Black Athletes
Browse through notable black athletes such as Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Serena Williams, Jackie Robinson, Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali.
See all Famous Black Athletes (148)
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Serena Williams
- In these groups:
- Famous Lookalikes
- Hotheads
- Celebrities and Their Fast Cars
Serena Williams
Tennis Player / 1981 -
American professional tennis player Serena Williams has won 29 Grand Slam titles and several Olympic gold medals.
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Muhammad Ali
- In these groups:
- Famous Fathers
- Name Changers
- Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier
Muhammad Ali
Boxer, Philanthropist / 1942 -
Muhammad Ali is considered one of the greatest athletes in boxing history, winning both the coveted Golden Gloves title and an Olympic gold medal, among several other honors.
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Jesse Owens
- In these groups:
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
- Famous Black Athletes
- Famous Virgoans
Jesse Owens
Track and Field Athlete / 1913 - 1980
American track-and-field athlete Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. His long jump world record stood for 25 years.
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Jackie Robinson
- In these groups:
- Famous Lookalikes
- Celebrity Enlistees
- African-American Firsts: Athletes
Jackie Robinson
Baseball Player / 1919 - 1972
Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play major league baseball, becoming Rookie of the Year in 1947, National League MVP in 1949 and a World Series champ in 1955.
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Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Basketball Player / 1963 -
Michael Jordan is a former American basketball player who led the Bulls to six national championships and earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award five times.
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Jackie Joyner-Kersee
- In these groups:
- Girl Scouts
- Famous Black Athletes
- Famous Pisceans
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Track and Field Athlete / 1962 -
One of the greatest athletes of all time, track and field star Jackie Joyner-Kersee has won three Olympic gold medals, as well as one silver and two bronze.
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Black History People
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Black History Groups
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Black History Videos
Watch full episodes of Black History icons, record-breakers and leaders. See how famous figures like Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln and Jackie Robinson changed history. See all videos.
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Black History Photos
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