List of African-American sports firsts facts for kids

African Americans have made incredible contributions to sports in the United States. For a long time, many sports were segregated, meaning Black athletes weren't allowed to play alongside white athletes. When an African American athlete was the first to achieve something big in a sport, it was called "breaking the color barrier." This meant they opened doors for many others to follow.

One of the most famous examples is Jackie Robinson. In 1947, he became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era. Before him, Black players had their own leagues called the Negro leagues for 60 years. Jackie's courage changed baseball forever!

Early Sports Pioneers: 19th Century

Firsts in the 1870s and 1880s

• 1879: The first African American to play major league baseball might have been William Edward White. He played one game for the Providence Grays. Some historians believe he was the first, even before Moses Fleetwood Walker.
• 1884: Moses Fleetwood Walker is also considered one of the first African Americans to play professional baseball at the major-league level.

Breaking Barriers in the 1890s

• 1896: John Shippen was the first African American to compete in the U.S. Open Golf Championship. He was also the first American golf professional.
• 1899: Major Taylor became the first African American to win a gold medal at the Track Cycling World Championships in sprint cycling. This made him the first African American to win a world championship in any sport!

Trailblazers of the 20th Century

Sports Firsts in the Early 1900s

• 1902: Harry Lew was the first African American professional basketball player. Also, Charles Follis became the first African American professional American football player. Joe Gans was the first African American boxing champion.
• 1904: George Poage was the first African American to compete in the Olympic Games. He won two bronze medals!
• 1908: Jack Johnson became the first African American heavyweight boxing champion. Also, John Taylor was the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal as part of a track and field relay team.

Milestones in the 1910s and 1920s

• 1916: Fritz Pollard was the first African American football player to play in a Rose Bowl game for Brown University.
• 1917: Lucy Diggs Slowe was the first African American woman to win a major sports title in tennis.
• 1920: Fritz Pollard and Bobby Marshall were among the first African American players in the NFL.
• 1921: Fritz Pollard also became the first African American NFL coach while still playing.
• 1924: DeHart Hubbard was the first African American to win an individual Olympic gold medal in the long jump.
• 1929: Sherman "Jocko" Maxwell became the first African American sportscaster.

Groundbreaking Moments in the 1930s and 1940s

• 1936: Jimmy Bonner was the first African American professional baseball player in Japan.
• 1946: Kenny Washington was the first African American to sign an NFL contract in the modern era after World War II.
• 1947: Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Larry Doby was the first African American player in the American League.
• 1948: Alice Coachman was the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal. Don Barksdale was the first African American on an Olympic basketball team and won a gold medal.
• 1949: Jackie Robinson won the MVP award in Major League Baseball.

The 1950s: New Heights in Sports

• 1950: Althea Gibson was the first African American woman to compete on the world tennis tour. Also, Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, Chuck Cooper, and Earl Lloyd were among the first African American players in the NBA.
• 1951: Duke Slater was the first African American named to the College Football Hall of Fame.
• 1952: Alice Coachman became the first African American sportswoman to endorse a major product, Coca-Cola.
• 1953: Don Barksdale was the first African American basketball player in the NBA All-Star Game.
• 1956: Althea Gibson was the first African American to win a Wimbledon tennis championship (in doubles) and a Grand Slam event (French Open). Don Newcombe won the first-ever Cy Young Award as the top pitcher in Major League Baseball.
• 1958: Willie O'Ree became the first Black player to play in the NHL.

The 1960s: More Barriers Broken

• 1961: Ernie Davis was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy in college football. Charlie Sifford was the first African American to join the PGA Tour in golf.
• 1962: Jackie Robinson was the first African American to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• 1963: Elston Howard was the first African American to be named American League MVP. Wendell Scott was the first African American to win a NASCAR Grand National event.
• 1964: Bob Gibson was the first African American baseball player to be named the World Series MVP. Althea Gibson joined the Ladies Professional Golf Association.
• 1966: Bill Russell became the first African American coach in the National Basketball Association. Emmett Ashford was the first African American Major League Baseball umpire.
• 1967: Charlie Sifford won his first PGA Tour event. Emlen Tunnell was the first African American inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• 1968: Arthur Ashe was the first African American man to win a Grand Slam tennis event (US Open). Marlin Briscoe was the first African American to start at quarterback in professional football's modern era. Bill Russell became the first African American coach to win an NBA Championship.

Achievements in the 1970s

• 1970: Willis Reed won the NBA All-Star MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and NBA MVP all in the same season. Will Robinson was the first African American NCAA Division I basketball coach.
• 1972: Wayne Embry was the first African American NBA general manager.
• 1975: Bill Russell was the first African American inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player. Frank Robinson was the first African American manager in Major League Baseball. Lee Elder was the first African American to play in a major golf championship (The Masters). Franco Harris was the first African American to be named Super Bowl MVP.
• 1977: Bill Lucas was the first African American Major League Baseball general manager.
• 1979: Willie Jeffries was the first African American head football coach in Division I-A college football.

The 1980s: Breaking New Ground

• 1981: Val James was the first African American to play in the NHL.
• 1984: John Thompson was the first African American coach to win the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship with Georgetown.
• 1986: Willy T. Ribbs was the first African American Formula One racecar driver.
• 1987: Teddy Seymour was the first African American man to sail around the world solo.
• 1988: Johnny Grier was the first African American NFL referee. Debi Thomas was the first African American to win a medal at the Winter Olympics (bronze in figure skating). Doug Williams was the first African American quarterback to start and win in the Super Bowl.
• 1989: Art Shell was the first African American NFL head coach in the modern era.

The 1990s: Continued Success

• 1991: Willy T. Ribbs was the first African American to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 auto race.
• 1992: Cito Gaston was the first African American Major League Baseball manager to reach and win the World Series.
• 1994: Tiger Woods was the first African American to win the United States Amateur Championship in golf.
• 1996: Bob Watson was the first African American MLB general manager to win the World Series.
• 1997: Tiger Woods was the first African American to win a major golf championship (The Masters). Maurice Smith was the first African American UFC champion.

21st Century Achievements

New Millennium Milestones

• 2002: Vonetta Flowers was the first African American Winter Olympic gold medalist (in bobsleigh). Venus Williams was the first African American to hold the #1 rank in tennis, and Serena Williams was the first to hold the year-end #1 rank. Ozzie Newsome was the first African American general manager in the National Football League.
• 2003: Serena Williams achieved a Career Grand Slam in tennis.
• 2004: Joe Dumars was the first African American NBA general manager to win the NBA Finals. Charlie Sifford was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
• 2006: Shani Davis was the first African American individual Winter Olympic gold medalist (in speed skating).
• 2007: Tony Dungy was the first African American NFL head coach to win the Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts.
• 2008: Mike Carey was the first African American to referee a Super Bowl game. Jerry Reese was the first African American NFL general manager to win the Super Bowl.

Recent Firsts in the 2010s and 2020s

• 2010: Dustin Byfuglien was the first African American to win the Stanley Cup in hockey.
• 2012: Gabby Douglas was the first African American gymnast to win the women's artistic individual all-around at the Olympic Games.
• 2013: Simone Biles was the first African American gymnast to win the women's artistic individual all-around at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
• 2015: Wendell Scott was the first African American to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
• 2018: Jordan Greenway was the first African American to play for Team USA Hockey in the Olympic Games.
• 2020: Jason Wright became the first African American president of an NFL team. Everett Fitzhugh was the first African American NHL play-by-play broadcaster.
• 2021: Jennifer King became the first full-time female African American NFL coach. Maia Chaka was the first female African American NFL referee.
• 2022: Dusty Baker was the first African American manager to win 2000 MLB games. Mike Grier was the first African American general manager of an NHL team.

See also

• Race and sports