June 18, 1963 Bruce Bernard Smith, hall of fame football player, was born in Norfolk, Virginia. Smith played college football at Virginia Tech where he was All-American in 1983 and 1984 and won the Outland Trophy in 1984 as the nation’s top college lineman. Smith finished his college career as the most honored player in […]
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June 17th in African American History – Venus Ebony Starr Williams
June 17, 1980 Venus Ebony Starr Williams, professional tennis player, was born in Lynwood, California. Williams began her professional tennis career in 1994 and won her first World Tennis Association singles title in 1998. Over her career, she has won 43 WTA singles titles, more than any other active player on the WTA tour. She […]
June 11th in African American History – Johnny D. Bright
June 11, 1930 Johnny D. Bright, hall of fame Canadian Football League player, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Bright played college football at Drake University where he led the nation in total offense in 1949 and 1950. On October 20, 1951 in a game against Oklahoma State University, Bright was violently assaulted by white […]
June 10th in African American History – John Arthur “Jack” Johnson
June 10, 1946 John Arthur “Jack” Johnson, the first black World Heavyweight Champion, died in a car crash. Johnson was born March 31, 1878 in Galveston, Texas. By 1902, he had won at least 50 fights against white and black opponents and in 1903 he won the World Colored Heavyweight Championship. Johnson finally won the […]
June 8th in African American History – Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige
June 8, 1982 Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige, Negro League and Major League pitcher, died. Paige was born July 7, 1906 in Mobile, Alabama. At the age of 12, he was committed to the Industrial School for Negro Children where he developed his pitching skills. In 1926, Paige was signed by the Chattanooga White Sox of […]
June 6th in African American History – Tommie Smith
June 6, 1944 Tommie Smith, former track and field athlete and professional football player, was born in Clarksville, Texas. Smith won a track scholarship to San Jose State University where in 1966 he set the world record in the 200-meter race. Also at San Jose State, Smith was a co-founder of the Olympic Project for […]
June 4th in African American History – Clarissa Davis
June 4, 1967 Clarissa Davis, hall of fame basketball player, was born in San Antonio, Texas. Davis played college basketball at the University of Texas where she was a two-time All-American and National Player of the Year in 1987 and 1989. In 1986, she led Texas to the NCAA championship.