Fight The Power! A History Of Black Pride Moments In Sports

In honor of Black History Month, check out these moments when athletes stood up to racism.

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Complex Original

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Way before athletes received suspensions for their bullshit antics (we see you T.O. and Ocho Cinco) or were too afraid to make political statements for fear that they may lose endorsements (you too, Lebron and Kobe), there were athletes willing to risk everything including their safety to stand up for their beliefs. These moments and the athletes who created them contributed greatly to The Civil Rights Movement.

The unforgettable stands that were taken include everything from embarrassing Hitler by stuntin' at the Olympics in Nazi Germany to literally knocking out white supremacists. So in honor of Black History month, let's look back on some pioneering moments in sports...

ALI REFUSES TO GO TO VIETNAM
WHO: Boxer Muhammad Ali
WHEN: April 28,1967 in Houston, TX
MOMENT: Ali, the then heavyweight champion was stripped of his title and sentenced to five years in jail (although he didn't end up serving time) when he refused to join the Army because of his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War. "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong ... They never called me nigger," said Ali. After being kept out of the ring for three years during his prime, Ali came back for the title like he never left. No biggie, he's the king.

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