Jesse Owens
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September 12, 1913 - March 31, 1980
About Jesse Owens
- He was an American track and field athlete
- Initials J.C. teacher though he said "Jesse" so name stuck for the rest of his life.
- Worked different jobs and soon realized he had a passion for running
- Student at East Technical High School in Cleveland and tied record of 9.4 seconds in the 100 yard dash. He also long jumped 24 feet 9 1/2 inches at the National High School Championship in Chicago.
- Atttended Ohio State University became known as the "Buckeye bullet. He won a record of 8 NCAA state championships.
- Had to live off campus,restricted to carry-out. Only could eat at black-only restaurants.
- Recieved no scholarships. Had to work part-time to pay for school
- In 45 minutes was his greatest achievement on May 25,1935 in Ann arbor, Michigan. He set 3 worlds records and tied a 4th. Set world record in long jump 26 feet 8 1/4 inches.
- member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter organization established by and for African Americans.
- Won four gold medals in the United States Summer Olympics.
- Just before the competitions, Owens was visited in the Olympic village by Adi Dassler, the founder of the Adidas athletic shoe company. He persuaded Owens to use Adidas shoes, the first sponsorship for a male African-American athlete
- He was prosecuted for tax evasion in 1966.
- Owens contracted lung cancer. He died from the disease at age 66 in Tucson, Arizona in 1980. He is buried in Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago.
More Information
Read more on Jesse Owens at Official Website of Jesse Owens or visit Wikipedia