The Power of Sports

The history and importance of protests in the sports

Throughout this page you will see different examples throughout history of protesting in Sports and the outcome that has come with it.


There will be visuals and text that show the platform that athletes have in their respected sport and how athletes show their activism to promote change in the world.


Sports Protest Maps

    • 1936 Berlin Olympics
    • Boston Celtics Boycott
    • The Battle of the Sexes
    • Colin Kaepernick Kneel
    • 1968 Mexico City Olympics
    • Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
    • University of Missouri
    • Milwaukee Bucks
    • Ali's refusal of the draft
    • 1965 AFL All Star Game
    • University of Wyoming Ban
    • The Syracuse 8
    • 1967 Boston Marathon
    • George Thompson Protest
    • Craig Hodges Failed Protest
    • WNBA Protests
    • Elgin Baylor Protest
    • “Drawing the Color Line” - White Sox
    • John Sullivans Hatred
    • 1906 Olympics
    • Potential Boycott for Moscow
    • Boycott of the Montreal Olympics
    • Bill Waltons Defiance
    • 2016 Summer Olympics
    • Bates Seven
    • 1964 NBA All Star Game
    • Breaking the Color Barrier

Important Locations of Famous Protests


Below you will see the order of the past Sports Protests presented on the map. The dates expand from the late 1800s to the present time.


Sports Protest Timeline


1882

John Sullivans Hatred

1883

"Drawing the Color Line" - White Sox

1906

Peter O'Connor at the Athens Olympics

1936

Jesse Owens Salute at the Olympics

1940

Bates Seven

1947

"42"

1959

Elgin Baylor Protest

1961

Bill Russell, Celtics Boycott game in Kentucky

1964

NBA All Stars Boycott

1965

AFL Moves All-Star Game After Players Protest

1967

Muhammad Ali Refuses the Draft

1967

Boston Marathon

1968

Tommy Smith, John Carlos at Summer Olympics

1969

Wyoming Bans 14 Black Players for Planned Protest

1970

Billie Jean King Demands Better Pay

1970

Syracuse Players Sit Out Season

1972

Bill Waltons Defiance

1976

Boycott of the Montreal Olympics

1980

Jimmy Carters Boycott Campaign

1989

George Thompson Protest

1991

Craig Hodge Failed Boycott

1995

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf's National Anthem Stance

2015

University of Missouri Football Players Boycott their Seasons

2016

WNBA Protests

2016

Colin Kaepernick Kneels before the National Anthem

2016

Feyisa Lilesa's Heroics

2020

The Milwaukee Bucks don't show up to Playoff Game


Visual Elements Slideshow

A Gallery of Graphis and Visuals representing Sports Protesting


Comic Strips


Jesse Owens Comic Strip


Peter O'Connor Comic Strip


Black Power Salute


Sport protesting and activism can be a powerful tool for promoting social justice and creating change. By using their platform and visibility, athletes can draw attention to important issues and spark conversations that might not have occurred otherwise. Historically, sports have played a significant role in bringing attention to various social issues, including racial and gender inequality, police brutality, and LGBTQ+ rights. Through peaceful protests, athletes have the ability to inspire others to take action, raise awareness about important issues, and create tangible change. Additionally, sport activism can also create a sense of community and empowerment among those who are fighting for social justice, both within and outside of the sports world. Overall, the importance of sport protesting and activism lies in its ability to create meaningful and lasting change on and off the field.


The Power of Sports Resources

MPAD 3003 - Civic Engagement Public Institution II

Dr. Stefy McKnight

By: Ryan Ellis

Adrian Anson Image

“Cap Anson.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Mar. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap_Anson.

Adrian Cap, John Sullivan, 1964 NBA all star game, and Bates Info

Hoger, Marc. “Top Ten History: Sports Protests.” Origins, 1 Oct. 1970, https://origins.osu.edu/connecting-history/top-ten-origins-sports-protests?language_content_entity=en.

AFL All Star Game Image and Info

Steele, David. “Missouri Players Walked Path Blazed by 1965 AFL All-Star Boycotters.” Sporting News, 28 Oct. 2021, https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/missouri-racism-protest-afl-all-star-boycott-1965-new-orleans-butch-byrd-bills/ve4nrczq2x61ouwjjvpmejdq.

Battle of the Sexes Image and Info

Dockterman, Eliana. “Battle of the Sexes: True Story behind Billie Jean King Movie.” Time, Time, 22 Sept. 2017, https://time.com/4952004/battle-of-the-sexes-movie-true-story/.

Boston Celtics boycott Image and Info

Keane, Sean. “8 Memorable Protests by American Athletes.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 11 Aug. 2021, https://www.history.com/news/notable-protests-american-athletes.

Colin Kaepernick Image and Info –

Li, David K. “Colin Kaepernick Reveals the Specific Police Shooting That Led Him to Kneel.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 20 Aug. 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/colin-kaepernick-reveals-specific-police-shooting-led-him-kneel-n1044306.

Craig Hodges Image and Info

Canova, Daniel. “Craig Hodges Told Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson to Boycott Game 1 of 1991 Nba Finals after Act of Police Brutality on Rodney King.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 3 June 2020, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/craig-hodges-michael-jordan-magic-johnson-boycott-1991-nba-finals-police-brutality-rodney-king.

Elgin Baylor Image and Info

Gazette-Mail, Mike WhitefordFor the. “In 1959, Elgin Baylor Took a Stand for Dignity at Civic Center.” Mail, 7 Sept. 2019, https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/kanawha_valley/in-1959-elgin-baylor-took-a-stand-for-dignity-at-civic-center/article_f01b2ea6-b2d6-5e0e-bdef-3175cb7d81f1.html.

Jackie Robinson and Bill Walton Image and Info

Wulf, Steve. “Athletes and Activism: The Long, Defiant History of Sports Protests.” Andscape, Andscape, 31 Jan. 2019, https://andscape.com/features/athletes-and-activism-the-long-defiant-history-of-sports-protests/.

Jesse Owens Info

Ott, Tim. “How Jesse Owens Foiled Hitler's Plans for the 1936 Olympics.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 10 June 2021, https://www.history.com/news/jesse-owens-adolf-hitler-1936-olympics.

Jesse Owens Image

Egere-Cooper, Matilda. “Jesse Owens' Medals at the 1936 Olympic Games Was a Performance so Powerful and Eloquent in Its Expression of Defiance That It Has Resonated for Generations since.” Runner's World, 14 Oct. 2021, https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/motivation/a37961922/jesse-owens/.

John Sullivan

McNamara, Robert. “Bare Knuckles Boxing Champ John L. Sullivan Was an Early Sports Hero.” LiveAbout, LiveAbout, 20 Nov. 2019, https://www.liveabout.com/john-l-sullivan-1773634.

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Missouri, 2020 bubble on the map, Boston marathon, Georgetown, NBA Protest Image, and Info

Ryan, Shannon. “Timeline: A Look Back at Some of the Most Prominent Sports Protests over the Years.” Chicago Tribune, 9 Sept. 2020, https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-athlete-protests-timeline-liststory-20200909-yl4x7b3hk5gkxj5wdxqwdmxfrq-list.html.

Main Protest Image

“US Sport Protests: Eight Times American Athletes Took Action.” BBC Newsround, BBC, 28 Aug. 2020, https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/53933689.

Olympic Protests Images and Info

“Timeline: Politics and Protest at the Olympics.” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, https://www.cfr.org/timeline/olympics-boycott-protest-politics-history.

Syracuse 8 Image and Info

Leogrande, Bill, and Samuel Hemingway. “Time Machine: Eight Black Athletes off Football Team.” The Daily Orange, 23 Sept. 2015, https://dailyorange.com/2015/09/time-machine-eight-black-athletes-off-football-team/.

Wyoming Image and Info

Broderick, Bill. “After Black 14: 51 Years Later, Athletes Are Still Protesting to Fight Racial Injustices.” Battle Creek Enquirer, Battle Creek Enquirer, 2 Sept. 2020, https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/sports/2020/09/02/nba-protests-follow-footsteps-black-14/3455157001/.

1968 Olympics Image and Info

“Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 13 Mar. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/event/Mexico-City-1968-Olympic-Games.