Honoring Black sports legends like Sterling Sharpe and more | Sports

Later that season, she ran a 10.69 in the women’s 100-meter dash at the USA Track Indoor and Outdoor Championships. At the time, the run was a record. 

Her biggest victory, though, came at the age of 17. Her father, Melvin, was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a disorder where the body can’t make enough blood cells in the bone marrow, increasing the chance of leukemia. After she was named the best match to help, Melissa donated her bone marrow, saving her father’s life. 

Thanks to his daughter, Melvin was able to watch her debut in the 2024 Olympic Games. Melissa would win gold (4×100 relay) and bronze (100) in her first Olympics. 

Joe Frazier 

Growing up in Beaufort, Joe Frazier was on his own fairly early in life. He grew up in a low-income household, and Frazier had dreams to change that.

Enter boxing. After moving to Philadelphia at 15 years old, Frazier entered the ring for the first time. 

Under the training of Yank Durham, he found his brutal left hook and began to develop into a force. For three consecutive years, he held the Middle Atlantic Golden Gloves heavyweight title. In 1964, he would capture gold in the Olympics. 

Frazier’s pro career began with a 29-0 record, and three years after turning pro, he would be crowned heavyweight champion. After Muhammad Ali’s boxing license was restored, a marquee matchup was set. In “The Fight of the Century,” the smaller Frazier was able to wear Ali down through 15 rounds. Frazier defeated Ali by unanimous decision, handing Ali his first professional loss. 

Frazer, who died in 2011, finished with a 32-4-1 record with 27 knockouts. 

Homer Jordan 

It’s no secret that Clemson is a football juggernaut under coach Dabo Swinney. But before Dabo, there was a Clemson team looking for its first title, and Homer Jordan was the leader of that squad.