October 5, 1921 William Karnet Willis, hall of fame football player, was born in Columbus, Ohio. Willis played college football at Ohio State University and in 1944 was named an All-American. After graduating in 1945, he took a job as head football coach at Kentucky State College. Since the National Football League unofficially barred African […]
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October 1st in African American History – The “Thrilla in Manila”
October 1, 1975 The “Thrilla in Manila,” the third and final boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of the World, was fought in Manila, Philippines. Both men battled each other into near incapacity before Frazier’s trainer stopped the fight after the fourteenth round and Ali was declared the […]
September 25th in African American History – Scottie Maurice Pippen
September 25, 1965 Scottie Maurice Pippen, hall of fame basketball player, was born in Hamburg, Arkansas. Pippen played college basketball at the University of Central Arkansas. He was selected by the Seattle Supersonics in the 1987 NBA Draft but is best known for his time with the Chicago Bulls. Over his 17 season professional career, […]
September 24th in African American History – Charles Edward “Mean Joe” Greene
September 24, 1946 Charles Edward “Mean Joe” Greene, hall of fame football player, was born in Temple, Texas. Greene played college football at North Texas State University and was a 1968 All-American. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1969 NFL Draft and over his 13 season professional career was the 1969 Defensive […]
September 22nd in African American History – James Raleigh “Biz” Macke
September 22, 1965 James Raleigh “Biz” Mackey, Negro League baseball player and manager, died. Mackey was born July 27, 1897 in Eagle Pass, Texas. He began playing professional baseball in 1918 and played until 1947. He was regarded as the premier catcher in the Negro League in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
September 21st in African American History – Artis Gilmore
September 21, 1949 Artis Gilmore, hall of fame basketball player, was born in Chipley, Florida but raised in Dothan, Alabama. Gilmore played two years at Jacksonville University and led the team to the 1970 NCAA Division I championship game. He led the NCAA in rebounding both years and his career average of 22.7 rebounds per […]
September 18th in African American History – Robert Lee “Bullet Bob” Hayes
September 18, 2002 Robert Lee “Bullet Bob” Hayes, Olympic Gold medal sprinter and hall of fame football player, died. Hayes was born December 20, 1942 in Jacksonville, Florida. While a student at Florida A&M University, Hayes was the AAU 100 yard dash champion from 1962 to 1964 and in 1964 was the NCAA champion in […]