By Monica Truchon and Tatiana Colon

Following World War II, attendance at sporting events skyrocketed. This was a time where black and white integrated to make great teams. These brave men and women who stepped outside their “boundaries” really made a difference in sports.

1945 – Jackie Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first black on a major league team.

He suffered considerable racial abuse.

In his first season, Robinson hit .297 with 125 runs scored. He also led the National League with 29 steals. Led the Dodgers to a National League pennant that year. 1947 – He was named 'Rookie of the Year' and featured

on the cover of Time magazine.

1962 – Robinson inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame

African-Americans made up more than half the crowd of 27,000

Cooper was the first black player to be drafted by a NBA team, in 1950

Cooper was signed by the Boston Celtics by coach Red Auerbach

Cooper's NBA career was average, nothing stellar

He played four years with the Celtics, then was traded to the Milwaukee Hawks before ending his career as a member of the Pistons

He made other blacks at the time want to follow their dreams, impacting on todays sports

Member of the U.S. national team from 1987 to 1994

His first game was against Egypt in 1987 Soccer defender and midfielder He was also a member of the Olympic team in the 1988 SummerOlympics in Seoul, South Korea Although he never scored a goal in international competition, he remains one of the team's all-time cap leaders with 81 total appearances.

First African American hockey player in the NHL

Played for the Boston Bruins in 1958 as a back-up for an injured player

He is know as the “Jackie Robinson of Hockey”

O’ Ree realized that his skin color could make a difference when playing the game. It would show that no matter the skin color, a great player is a great player.

O'Ree did his best to play the game and ignore the harsh realities of being a black player in a predominantly white league.

As the first black hockey player in the National Hockey League, Willie O'Ree continues to have a lasting impression on the sport.

The first African American to play in the NFL, playing left half-back

He was signed by the Los Angeles Rams on March 21st , 1946

Even though he only played for 3 years, he had a huge impact

1956- inducted to the college football hall of fame

Washington’s Jersey, number 13, was first to be retired in the UCLA at UCLA

First African American heavy weight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949

He was known for being honest, hardworking fighter at a time when the sport was conquered by gambling interests

Louis's championship reign lasted 140 successful months

2005- named the greatest heavyweight of all time by the International Boxing Research Organization

First African American tennis player

1950- She was the first African American to play in the U.S. grass court championships at Forest Hills, N.Y.

In 1971 she was named to the National Lawn Tennis Hall of Fame.

Gibson paved the way for other women who wanted to play aggressive

First African American professional Golfer to play in 1960

He helped desegregate the PGA of America

Sifford won the PGA tour in 1967 & 1969, along with other wins

He became the first African American inducted into the World Gold Hall of Fame!

"Keep in mind, the civil rights movement wasn't until 1964 - and it still isn't completely right today."

Year participation in professional sports Baseball: 1957 Basketball: 1958 Football: 1960

Participation in 2000 (13% of U.S. Population)

Pro Basketball Players 78 %

NCAA D-I Basketball Playesr 56 %

Pro Football Players 67 %

NCAA D-I Football Players 46 %

All of these individuals went outside the “ordinary” to play the sport they loved. Racism did not get in the way as they pursued their dreams.

“There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.” – Jackie Robinson