Legendary heavyweight champion Jack Johnson was a titan of his sport with a larger than life public persona and controversial legacy because of his actions and words outside the boxing ring as a Black athlete competing at the heights of the Jim Crow era. Johnson was the first African-American Heavyweight Champion of the World, whose dominance over his white opponents spurred furious debates and race uprisings in the early 20th century. America loves exceptions, and athletes, specifically Black athletes, are sometimes positioned as key models in American culture that others should aspire towards. This exceptionality can veil the structural realities that determine not only the possibility of arriving at professional athlete status, but also what the process does to and for those Black and brown athletes who "make it.” Muhammed Ali, Serena Williams, and Colin Kaepernick are more contemporary examples of Black professional athletes loved by many yet criticized by others for using their platforms to advocate for social justice causes.

In this lesson, students will explore the role of sports figures in our society. By examining Jack Johnson’s professional and personal experiences, students will consider how society responds to a sports figure who represents more than just their sport. Students will explore the concepts of representation, watch clips about Jack Johnson, discuss the role of athletes in stimulating societal change, and produce a project which supports the expanding role of sports figures in our society.

Length of Lesson: 2-3 days of class lesson time plus one additional week for final project

About the Author: Sebastian Byers teaches Earth and Environmental Science, AP Biology and AP Environmental Science. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and received his teaching certification from UNC Charlotte. He obtained his Masters in Educational Leadership from Queens University of Charlotte and is a Master Teacher Trainer with UNCTV. He is a 2018 PBS Digital Innovator All-Star and has co-hosted multiple Virtual Professional Learning Series with PBS.