It’s February. So, it’s an ideal time to consider Black History Month: the most influential Black athletes. After all, many of them have been able to transcend not just sports but life itself. They include;
Mike Tyson
You can hardly do without mentioning “Iron” Mike Tyson among notable athletes in the last 50 years. Surely, you have enough reasons to mention him. First, he was the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987-1990. Second, he became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time in his win over Trevor Berbick in 1986 (at 20 years old).
Besides, winning his first 19 professional fights by professional knockout was no mean feat. His boxing career spanned over 20 years (1985-2005).
LeBron James
LeBron James is considered as more than just one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He is also regarded as a global icon on social issues. No surprise there when you consider some of his career highlights over 19 years (2003-present).
First, he has won four NBA championships with three different franchises.
Second, he has four NBA MVP trophies.
Third, he is a 16-time NBA All-Star (2005-2020).
In addition, he is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008, 2012).
Moreover, he could emerge as the NBA career scoring leader after playing a few more seasons.
Interestingly, he has earned over $1 billion in contracts and endorsements.
Serena Williams
You can consider Serena Williams as possibly the greatest women’s tennis player of all time. And the numbers would back you up. She has 23 Grand Slam singles titles under her belt – the most in the Open Era. Her career spans over 27 years (1995-present),
Forbes also recorded Williams as having an estimated net worth of $200 million and a $36 million earning for 2020.
Williams and her sister Venus are great ambassadors off the court too. Indeed, they are great examples for Black tennis players for current and future generations.
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is not only one of the most popular athletes, he is also arguably the greatest golfer ever. Here are some of his career highlights spanning up to 26 years (1996-present).
15 major titles including five-time Masters tournament champion, four-time PGA Championship winner, three-time U.S. Open champion, and three-time time British Open champion. Notably, his 15 major titles are the second most of all time.
He set a record win at the 1997 Masters tournament at the age of 21.
Tiger Woods has an estimated net worth of $800 million.
Simone Biles
Many consider American gymnast Simone Biles to be one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. After all, she won four gold medals (including the U.S. team gold medal) at the 2016 Olympics.
Other feats include being an Olympic silver medalist (2020) and a two-time Olympic bronze medalist (2016, 2020).
More so, she is a 19-time World Champion (2013-15, 2018, 2019).
Furthermore, she is TIME Magazine Athlete of the Year (2021).
Interestingly, Biles had to forego the chance of becoming the greatest Olympic gymnastics champion of all time when she withdrew from the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. The reason she gave – her mental health – is a source of motivation for people struggling with such mental health issues.
Muhammad Ali
If you have heard the term “float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee”, then you probably know about the greatest boxer who ever lived – Muhammad Ali.
He thrilled fans all over the world with his fighting skill and personality in his first title fight win as a 22-year-old in 1964. Thereafter, he continued when he won the title two more times.
In a career spanning up to 21 years (1960-81), he was a Six-time Ring Magazine Fighter of the year, an Olympic gold medalist (1960), and a heavyweight world champion. Muhammad Ali died in 2016 at the age of 74.
The bottom line
Surely, for Black History Month: most influential Black athletes, there are many more names that are among the most influential black athletes of all time not mentioned here. They all have a common characteristic. They make us believe anything is possible.
