Famous black athletes that made a difference

African Americans are a demographic minority in the United States. The first achievements by African Americans in various fields historically marked footholds, often leading to more widespread cultural change.

The shorthand phrase for this is "breaking the color barrier".^[1][2]

The world of sports generally is invoked in the frequently cited example of Jackie Robinson, who became the first African American of the modern era to become a Major League Baseball player in 1947, after 60 years of segregated Negro leagues.^[3]

19th century

1879

1884

1896

1899

20th century

1902

1904

• First African American to participate in the Olympic Games, and first to win a medal: George Poage (two bronze medals)^[15]

1908

1910s

1916

1917

1920s

1920

1921

1924

1929

1930s

1936

1940s

1946

• First African American to sign a contract with an NFL team in the moder