Bill Russell grew up in an extremely racist time in America in an extremely racist state. Born in Louisiana and raised both there and in Oakland, California; Russell and his family battled the every day hardships that most black people faced at that time. But Russell always had a set of morals and guidelines that he led his life by, many of which he learned from his father, who he says was his hero and biggest role model. These morals revolved around independence and a very classic “ I will not allow anyone to impose their will on me.” (Page 56, paragraph 1) These morals followed and shaped him in his playing and coaching career.
Russell constantly broke down barriers of racism and hatred during his playing and coaching career from 1956 to 1988. And while his only concern was winning and often kept his mouth shut when he felt he was being oppressed in any way, there were times where he spoke out. There was an instance in 1958, a few years after Russell entered the league where they went to a very segregated Charlotte, North Carolina. When Russell was informed that he and the only other black player on the team would be staying a different hotel from the rest of the team, he couldn’t help himself and had to stand up and say something. After his coach and one of his now best friends Red Auerbach explained that there was nothing he could do, Russell stated; “That’s bullshit Red. You booked this game. You booked this place for us to stay. You know how these people are. So what you did was put us in harms way.” (Page 84, paragraph 2)
Russell was unique in the sense that he was one of the few athletes to coach and play for the same team at the same time. And more than that, he did it successfully. For the last three years as a Bos...
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...th American sport) led the NBA to name the finals MVP award after him. Russell was also one of the most genuinely liked players around the league, mostly for how he respected the game and everyone who played it. Even in his fiercest rivalries, many of which involved Wilt Chamberlain, the other dominant big man in the game at the time. He never let what happened on the floor impact how he treated him off the floor, and vice versa. There have been countless documentaries and books written about him all of which express how well liked he was along with his tremendous success. To me, he is one the prime examples of a star player on and off the court. He never let his talent or popularity take away from the morals he learned as a child and kept them with him all along. A quality, which I believe, everyone wishes to carry in their lives, wherever their path may take them.
...de four trips to the Final Four and won three National Championships. The only other active coach with three National Championships is his former Army assistant, Mike Krzyzewski of Duke, who may end up surpassing Knight's win total for a new record. While Knight has not yet matched this success at Texas Tech, he is already making a case for himself as the school's best coach ever.
African-American players are often negatively affected due to the prevalence of racism in the town. Ivory Christian, for instance, is a born-again Christian with aspirations to be a famous evangelist, but he is unable to pursue his dream due to his commitment to the football team. Because of this, the townspeople have unrealistic expectations of him and assume that he will put all his time and energy into football. Furthermore, there is a greater pressure on him to succeed...
Earl Lloyd was probably the most courageous player of all time. Some people know him as “The Big Cat” others know him as the first African-American to play in an NBA basketball game with the whites; he changed the way people think and look at basketball and black players and coaches. Earl Lloyd loved basketball from a very young age. Earl had two brothers older than him which was Earnest and Theodore. Earl was very dedicated from a very young age. With his high school team he took them to a state championship and won. After high school Earl went off and took his talents to West Virginia State College. While Earl was there his sophomore year they went 33-0 which is a perfect season. Earl’s team won back to back CIAA conference championships and tournament championships.
When Marcus started playing youth football; his hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi was a decade removed from one of the most infamous cases of racial crime in the history of the United States. Ironically by the end of the film, Cecil Price Sr. which was the Deputy Sherriff at the entire start of the civil right crimes did not hesitate to help Marcus out when he wanted to get his CDL. Cecil Price Jr. stated that his dad would have done anything for Marcus. Racism has played many roles in sport as discussed but a...
McLaurin knew at a very young age that this whole view of Racism and stereotyping was very wrong, “ It wasn’t fair and I knew it, and I found the knowledge quite troublesome”(pg. 98), but couldn’t help but have his view slightly changed when he was playing basketball with a group of both white and black children. The...
Months before, a white football fan in a dusty little town watched #35 as he sprinted down the field; the fan did not really see some black kid, they saw a Mojo running back. Just like so many other fans, they cheer for the black and white jersey, not particularly caring about the color of the body it’s on. The fans saw #35 as the future of their much-exalted football team; the color of his skin seemed irrelevant. As long as he wore the jersey and performed every week like he should, they celebrated him as the Great Black Hope of the 1988 season. Now, injury has taken him from the game that he devoted his life to, and he is no longer #35. Instead, he is just another useless black kid who will never amount to anything in the rigid society that
Pete Maravich was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His spectacular moves and awesome footwork helped him to get better everyday. His incredible passes and being able to control the court caused his teammates to like him even more. “His playground moves, circus shots, and hotdog passes were considered outrageous during his era” (NBA Encyclopedia Playoff Edition). His love for basketball was instilled by his father Peter “Press” Maravich.
Newman, Joshua I. 2007. Army of Whiteness? Colonel Reb and the Sporting South's Cultural and Corporate Symbolic. Journal of Sport & Social Issues 31 (4): 315-39.
Drummond, unlike many people at the time, possesses the ability to put himself in another man’s shoes and understand their perspective when everyone else
Defending Titles Diversely: A Persuasive Essay about the Lack of Diversity in Sports Many Americans have seen or at least heard of the movie “Remember the Titans.” The classic film focuses on a school that blends black and whites and takes on an African American head coach. The coach knows the importance of winning, but also knows the team must work together to get those wins and have respect for every single person in the locker room. Although coach Boone was still put in a tough situation with the school board and the community, he was able to lead his team, with the help of a white assistant coach, to an undefeated season. The team coming together is exactly what America does with sports.
Historical and sociological research has shown, through much evidence collection and analysis of primary documents that the American sporting industry can give an accurate reflection, to a certain extent, of racial struggles and discrimination into the larger context of American society. To understand this stance, a deep look into aspects of sport beyond simply playing the game must be a primary focus. Since the integration of baseball, followed shortly after by American football, why are the numbers of African American owners, coaches and managers so very low? What accounts for the absence of African American candidates from seeking front office and managerial roles? Is a conscious decision made by established members of each organization or is this matter a deeper reflection on society? Why does a certain image and persona exist amongst many African American athletes? Sports historians often take a look at sports and make a comparison to society. Beginning in the early 1980’s, historians began looking at the integration of baseball and how it preceded the civil rights movement. The common conclusion was that integration in baseball and other sports was indeed a reflection on American society. As African Americans began to play in sports, a short time later, Jim Crow laws and segregation formally came to an end in the south. Does racism and discrimination end with the elimination of Jim Crow and the onset of the civil rights movement and other instances of race awareness and equality? According to many modern sports historians and sociologists, they do not. This paper will focus on the writings of selected historians and sociologists who examine th...
One of the major stands that were made during a black athlete’s tenure during his or her sport were their statements on racism. Racism in America was an ongoing situation in the 1900’s that seemed to have no resolve before black athletes took a stand. One prime example can be Jackie Robinson who became the first African-American athlete to play baseball in the modern era. Jackie grew up in one of the most racist towns in Pasadena, California and came from a poor family as his parents were sharecroppers and...
Cosell truly changed the way news was done in the sports industry. It wasn’t just his relationship with the athletes, but the way he spoke of them and how he always told it like it is. “I say it like it is!” is one of the most popular catchphrases that Cosell used throughout his career. The fact that he always told it like is it made the audience always wanting
Jackie Robinson was a prominent figure in American history as he broke the color line, and was the first black athlete to play in a white league. Americans believed this would stop racism in the future and integrate all sports, but racism has planted its roots in sports ever since 1947. The NBA is a professional basketball league and has been very popular in the United States since its creation. The sport is enjoyed by all races although most of the players are of African American race. During recent events, L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling was caught making racist remarks in an audio recording. He was frustrated that his girlfriend was hanging with other African Americans, even the great NBA legend Magic Johnson. He wanted her not to bring African Americans to his games and not to broadcast it on Instagram. He stated, " Yeah, it bothers me a lot that you want to promo-broadcast that you're associating with black people. Do you have to (Sterling)?" He also complained, " But why publicize it on the Instagram and why bring it to my games (Sterling)?" After the release of the recordings, the NBA community was in an uproar. In protest, the player of the Clippers wore their training jerseys inside out (Moore). As a result, Adam Silver , commissioner of the NBA, banned Donald Sterling for life. Sterling could not attend nor part...
The scholars expounds that Black athletes were commodities on the playing field to help win games and bring in revenue to their respected schools. However, the schools were just as eager and willing to leave their Black players behind and dishonoring the player as a part of the team. Therefore, not compromising the team’s winning and bring in profits for the school. Sadly, Black athletes at predominately White institutions (PWIs) who believed that they were bettering the live of themselves and their families members by going to college and playing collegiate sports to increase their post secondary careers. However, these athletes were only “show ponies” for their schools. Unfortunately, Black athletes had allegiance to their school; however, the school turned their backs on the athletes to protect the profit and notoriety of the school and the programs. Money and respect from White fans and spectators were more important to the PWIs than standing up for the respect of their Black players. Racial bigotry in sports was rampant and it was only going to get worse.