Ohio State’s Jesse Owens makes list of top 50 black athletes, but no Tiger Woods

Former Ohio State track & field superstar Jesse Owens (1913 - 1980), on the left, won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. He's pictured here with former competitor Ralph Metcalfe (1910 - 1978).

Former Ohio State track & field superstar Jesse Owens (1913 - 1980), on the left, won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. He's pictured here with former competitor Ralph Metcalfe (1910 - 1978).
Sports
By Matt Winkeljohn
Updated Aug 9, 2017
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There are several Ohio-connected superstars and former stars on a new ranking of the top 50 black athletes of all time, including long-ago Ohio State track &field phenom Jesse Owens at No. 5, but this list is controversial to say the least as golfer Tiger Woods did not make the cut.

Neither did Dayton native Edwin Moses, who won Olympic gold medals in 1976 and ‘84 (the United States boycotted the game in 1980 in Moscow, Russia), two world championships and 107 consecutive races in the 400 meter hurdles  while setting four world records and serving as a pioneer in the areas of Olympic eligibility and drug testing.

"Undefeated," an ESPN product, put the list together, and it's hard to fuss much about the top five: Basketball player Michael Jordan, baseball player Jackie Robinson, boxer Muhammad Ali of Louisville, baseball player Willie Mays and Owens, winner of four gold medals in the 1936 Olympiad.

But no Tiger Woods?

🏀 🏈 ⚾️ 🔥 🔥 https://t.co/fGWXsMLvNZ pic.twitter.com/glKNzpCcoY— Focus TV (@TheFocus_TV) August 9, 2017

Sure, he’s been on the sidelines for a couple years with back problems and so forth, but he’s won 14 majors, second all-time to former Ohio State star and Upper Arlington native Jack Nicklaus!

Even ESPN's Michael Wilbon ripped the list -- on the Undefeated website!

Former Celtics center Bill Russell -- owner of 11 NBA titles, five NBA MVP awards and 12 All-Star spots -- all the way down at No. 36?

Cavs King LeBron James at No. 29, one spot behind Steph Curry of the Warriors?

At least former Browns running back Jim Brown, long the NFL’s career rushing leader even though he played but nine professional seasons, came in at No. 30 and former Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. ranked at No. 37.

But there’s some chatter about this list, as you can see.

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About the Author

Matt Winkeljohn