Juneteenth Triumphs: Honoring Black Athletes and Their Legacy

June 19th commemorates the day in 1866 when enslaved African Americans learned they were free. One hundred fifty-eight years later, countless people are still searching to be completely free from prejudice and the effects of racism. Athletes of past and present also feel the impact of this pursuit as they have struggled for equality and representation. Here are some of their stories.

Wilma Rudolph

As a young child, Wilma Rudolph suffered from polio, which required her to wear leg braces until she was 12 years old. At 16, she qualified for the 1956 Olympic Games as a track and field athlete in Melbourne, Australia, and won a bronze medal. Wilma made history in the 1960 Olympic Games by becoming the first Black female athlete to win international recognition by winning three gold medals. Her success paved the way for many other Black female track and field athletes, such as Flo-Jo, Allyson Felix, Sha’Carri Richardson, and others.

Willie O'Ree

At just three years old, Willie O'Ree's passion for hockey began to flourish. Fast forward to 1958, when he made history by stepping onto the ice for his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins, becoming the first Black player to do so in the NHL. Throughout his years in the league, he encountered racism and setbacks. O’Ree has since been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and has received the United States Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions and commitment to inclusion and hockey. He is the first player in NHL history to receive this honor. In 2022, 64 years after he first took the ice, the Boston Bruins retired Willie’s number, 22. Willie's impact on the NHL has been enduring, with several more Black hockey players joining the NHL since his days and inspiring other Black players to pursue professional hockey.

Bill Russell

Bill Russell is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career and had a 22-year coaching career. It’s no wonder he’s considered one of the GOATs. The NBA Finals MVP Award is even named after him. In 2020, two years before he passed away, Bill wrote an essay for SLAM’s issue dedicated to social justice, where he spoke about his fight against racism throughout his life. In the pursuit of social justice, Bill Russell attended several rallies, including being present when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech. In the SLAM article, Bill wrote, “In many ways, I owe my happiness to the love my parents gave me. Their love gave me the confidence to simply be me: a proud Black man, fair, and I believe, dignified.”

Simone Biles

Simone Biles stands out as a remarkable Black gymnast, joining the ranks of other trailblazing athletes. Dominique Dawes made history as the first Black woman to claim Olympic Team gold in artistic gymnastics in 1996, while Gabby Douglas was the first Black woman to secure an individual gold by winning the all-around title in 2012. Nonetheless, Simone Biles continues to redefine the boundaries of the sport. With five skills bearing her name and four Olympic Gold medals under her belt, Simone's impact on the sport is undeniable. Like many other Black athletes, Simone has encountered and overcome the complexities of enduring criticism and racism within the competitive realm. “I feel like every Black athlete or colored athlete could say that they have experienced [racism] through their career, but we just have to keep going for those little ones looking up to us. It doesn’t matter what you look like. You can strive for greatness, and you can be great,” Simone told the Today Show.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams is universally recognized as one of history's most outstanding tennis players. With an impressive 23 Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic Gold medals, she has commanded the attention of both sports enthusiasts and the general public. Serena and her sister Venus received unwavering support from their parents, who instilled in them a strong sense of pride in their identity as young athletes. During an interview with Common in 2016, Serena said, “My dad always said you have to know your history, and if you know your past, you can have a great future.” Serena did not allow her skin color or that she was a woman stop her from being the best she could be. She says, “I wouldn’t want to be any other color. There’s no other race, to me, that has such a tough history for hundreds and hundreds of years, and only the strong survive, so we were the strongest and the most mentally tough, and I’m really proud to wear this color every single day of my life.”

As these athletes inspire this and future generations, we look forward to a day when all sports are inclusive—no matter the color of our skin.