National Chaps Analysis

In the book titled Race, Sports, and the American Dream, it discussed how sports helped change the place of African-American in society. “Sports was well segregated deep into the 20th century” (Smith 9). How college football looked in America in the 1950s was exactly how American society looked in the 1950s, segregated and racist. African-American athletes in college football helped fight and negate stereotypes because it showed that they are equally as good

We all know sports are games that embrace the spirit within everyone. They make us cry, work together, overcome obstacles, and most of all they help us believe in miracles. Sports definitely became a main impact on the racial equality movement. Not only did it show people that we are all one of the same but, it opened people's eyes to show them that people of all races can work together and be successful. The reason that sports were so powerful in the movement was because TV wasn't a big fad yet so people watched sporting events for entertainment. This was the way the equality message was shown to the world. During the games the way the athletes portrayed themselves influenced people's feelings toward them and their race. Although African American athletes were accepted into sports that was the easy part. They also fought day in and day out for their teammates respect and for their peers respect. Many of them were even ridiculed by their own race

Brian's Song is a movie that starred James Caan, as Brian Piccolo, and Billy D. Williams, as Gale Sayers. The movie was primarily about how the two players interacted each other as running backs for the Chicago Bears and how their friendship matured through the difficulties of Brian's cancer diagnosis and eventual death. The movie explores many themes such as friendship, courage and compassion, but it leaves one particular subject somewhat alone. Gale Sayers is black and Brian Piccolo was white and they were roommates on team trips at a time when relationships between these two races could be very volatile. The movie had very little to say about how black and white professional players interacted, but there is some evidence in the movie of the tension that existed and the segregation that still existed. This paper explores this theme of race relations in sports seen through Brian's Song and as it is today.

In the 1950’s -60’s the Civil Rights movement was huge. African american people all over the country were facing discrimination and segregation their whole lives, and it was time for a change. The miners were fighting for black equality in basketball, but they were also fighting for Civil Rights in America. The fight for equality was a long and dangerous battle, but the men from Texas Western were tough and fought it well. The 1966 NCAA Men's basketball Championship game was more than just a game because 1 the whole Texas Western team was risking their lives to play ,2 The african american men on the team were standing up for their rights, and 3 they were trying to prove a point that race doesn't matter.

Many athletes are just that, athletes. The crowd cheers as they hit a home run or they make the shot. They’re known for their performance on the field and only the field. Instead of realizing the importance of their voice or their actions, they decide to suppress their own voices, choosing to bask in the glory they receive due to their performance during a game. It’s easy to fall into the mindset that all athletes fall under this category of ignorance or better yet indifference. Although a majority of them represent this group, there a handful that dedicates their time and voice to bring about change in society. Jackie Robinson was the first African American baseball player on a team’s roster. Not only did he change the sport of baseball forever, but impacted millions of African Americans and his impact continues to affect lives today.

On May 6, 1999, Bill Russell, the man who redefineed the center by his unique shot-blocking, man-to-man defense and rebounding ability, and contributed to his team Celtics by his outstanding performance and remarkable leadership, finally attended his own retirement ceremony after 27 years of retirement. This great man in the history of American basketball refused to have a ceremony in 1972 in Boston, the city he perceived as the “racist city”, because of his concern of discrimination. On February 15th, 2011, Bill Russell received the Medal of Freedom from President Obama for his contribution to civil rights movement. Obama described him as “the man who stand up for the dignity of all men”. From being insulted, being refused in restaurants during tournaments, intimidating the world with his long arms and strong opinions, to challenging the politics of sports and fighting against racism, it has been a long way for Bill Russell, for American basketball, and for American society. Basketball, one of the major sports in America, presents the civil rights breakthrough both in professional games and in colleges. The book “King of the Courts: Bill Russell and the Basketball Revolution” by Aram Goudsouzian and “Getting Open: The Unknown Story of Bill Garrett and the Integration of College Basketball” by Tom Graham, and Rachel Graham Cody, reveal the story of how two of the greatest players in the history of American basketball, broke the color barriers in basketball and foster the

Lastly, Jackie Robinson showed determination when he kept on going until he reached his goal and everybody else’s. “ In 1972, Jackie Robinson was asked to throw out the first pitch in baseball.” “He was honored but it didn’t stop him from acknowledging their were still no black managers or coaches. ”(Anderson and Moser)

In the 1950’s, many outspoken African Americans booed the issues that were occurring at the time. Earl Lloyd was one of the many. Nat Clifton, Charles Henry Cooper and Earl Lloyd were all important factor to the desegregation of whites and African Americans in basketball. Even though these three men were not the only ones who changed history for African Americans, they surely made a dent in the history books. Throughout the 1950’s a great amount of African Americans were facing segregation issues. Not only was there segregation in sport, but also in the communities, schools, etc. Ruth Batson once said, “ The word that I’m objecting to is segregation. As long as you talk about segregation I won't discuss this.” (Fayer, Flynn, Hampton

Jackie Robinson is an American giant. A paragon of perseverance, courage and inner strength, he integrated baseball and broke our nation’s color barrier in an age where it was overtly enforced through violence both systematic and physical. Jackie Robinson has been a hero of mine since I was a child and while I wouldn’t dare to compare his struggle to obstacles I’ve faced in my lifetime, I still carry his example with me everyday and I believe it is crucial for those in my generation to do the same.

With nine national championships, 74 first-team All-Americans, and 712 all-time wins, the Pitt Panthers have long been one of college football’s premier programs. Few schools can rival the players my dad and grandpa grew up watching, such as Tony Dorsett and Dan Marino. What do they have in common? Both played at historic Pitt Stadium, home of the Panthers since 1925. This, along with the iconic Pitt Script logo and their royal blue and mustard yellow color scheme, gave Pitt an unmistakable identity.

I recently saw the film, 42, and I found many connections with our Sociology of Sport class. First and foremost, the movie was about the baseball legend, Jackie Robinson. Jack broke the baseball color barrier and was the first African American player allowed in Major League Baseball. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers beginning in 1947. Jack was a strong, talented player, but he also had a mind of his own. He played with an attitude that would be taunting to other players. When he made it to the Montreal Royals in 1946, he had to quickly get rid of this taunting, smart attitude. He was the only black player in a time of hatred and prejudice in the United States. Although he

Robinson’s performance on the field was a primary demonstration of African Americans athletic ability and ability to persevere (McDaniels). Abbie Weinberg, researcher for The Jackie Robinson Educational Archives, once

(Quote 1) The quote supports the central idea by saying sports helped lives, but the quote also showed that there was racism and sexism in American society and sports helped change them. (Explain 1) Another is, “Owens and Louis marked a turning point. Many white way Americans saw these black athletes as fighting for them.

This photo called attention to the issues in civil equality that are still prevalent today, it was the start of a very long fight for equality.

During the 80’s, the period of which these individuals played, the NBA desperately needed a new spark, and the NBA got just what it needed. Larry Bird’s Celtics during the 1979-80 season made a dramatic improvement “from a 29-53 record the year before to 61-21”(Magic Johnson and). While Bird is making an extraordinary turnaround for his Boston Celtics, Magic Johnson, during his rookie season, won a NBA championship for the Los Angeles Lakers. This was the Los Angeles Lakers seventh NBA championship victory. Their success helped the NBA, but their identities off the court supersedes the game of basketball. The years previous to the Magic-Bird rivalry were ever changing. The NBA changed from a fundamental, half-court game with all-white players, to a quick pace, athletically acrobatic game with mainly black players. Few old-school former white people, such as Jerry West and Pete Maravich, could participate and compete in this new form of basketball. This different style of basketball significantly swayed many viewers, white fans, from attending the NBA games. White fans felt that the game was very egocentric and didn’t involve all the players. Also, the white fans didn’t