African American Athletes in the 80s Challenges These Athletes Faced

-Each sport had their own challenges

-Limitations, Education, and Voicing their opinions were the biggest problems

-This decade would later inspire athletes later on to make a change Position Limits

-Football

-African American athletes are known for speed and athleticism

-They could not play quarterback because that is a position for leaders

- 80s

-Quarterback Doug Williams leads the Washington Redskins to the Superbowl No More Limitations

-After the 80’s, there has been a rise in Black quarterbacks

-NFL MVP winners in 2018 and 2019

-Patrick Mahomes (2018)

-Lamar Jackson (2019)

-Both Black quarterbacks Education

-Many saw black athletes just for sports

- they would only enroll in classes just to play

-meaningless degrees

-John Carlos (Olympic Sprinter) encouraged education among youth

-stated no one cared about the black athlete outside of sports Voicing Themselves

-Famous athletes did not speak on major issues

-crack epidemic, racial tensions due to OJ trial, and Rodney King

-They were seen as athletes and should stick to sports

- athletes like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods No More Silence -Athletes today now speak on major issues

-social injustices, racial tensions, etc…

-Major sport organizations allow players to express themselves

-NBA BLM movement

-NFL BLM phrases painted on field

-MLB BLM painted on field a well Conclusion

-During the 80s, black athletes had to climb many obstacles

-some took longer to climb than others

-The impact they had set the tone for future black athletes to shine

-both on and off the field Citations

Holland, Jesse.2020. “Black Athletes in 1980s, 90s Not Outspoken, But Not Silent.” AP NEWS. Retrieved November 25, 2020 https://apnews.com/article/3753fab5175343e09a12d85c718c008c

Greenspan, Bud. 2020. “The Black Athlete.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSw1ID-2xak