The Black Athlete as Hero

Retired history professor from Long Island University, Joseph Dorinson lives in Floral Park, New York.

Table of Contents


Acknowledgments

Introduction: Hero Defined

Section One—Boxing

 1. Jack Johnson, Joe Louis, Ray Robinson, and Muhammad Ali

Section Two—Track and Field

 2. Jesse Owens, Harrison Dillard and Mal Whitfield, and Rafer Johnson

 3. Wilma Rudolph, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the Joyner Connection, and Carl Lewis

Section Three—Football

 4. Duke Slater, J. Mayo Williams, and Other Pathbreakers in the College and Pro Ranks

 5. Fritz Pollard and Paul Robeson

 6. Jim Brown and Black Quarterbacks

Section Four—Baseball

 7. Black Players in Baseball Before Integration

 8. Jackie Robinson

 9. Don Newcombe and Roy Campanella, Monte Irvin and Larry Doby

10. Willie Mays, Ed Charles, Henry Aaron, Frank Robinson, and Ernie Banks

11. Bill White and Curt Flood

12. Minnie Miñoso, Vic Power, and Roberto Clemente

Section Five—Tennis

13. Althea Gibson, Arthur Ashe, Venus and Serena Williams, and Naomi Osaka

Part Six—Basketball

14. The Harlem Renaissance Five

15. Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson

16. Elgin Baylor, Connie Hawkins, and Dr. J

17. Kareem ­Abdul-Jabbar and Earvin “Magic” Johnson

18. Charlie Scott and Michael Jordan

19. LeBron James and Kobe Bryant

20. Ora Washington, Lynette Woodard, Cheryl Miller, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia ­Cooper-Dyke, and Maya Moore

Section 7—Golf, Hockey, Gymnastics

21. Tiger Woods, Willie O’Ree, and Simone Biles

Conclusion

Chapter Notes

Bibliography

Index