They were raising their fists in a gesture for equality during the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. The atmosphere around the 1968 games was full of tension regarding social injustices taking place across the globe. With this display, they tried to draw international awareness to racial discrimination and bigotry in the United States.
American sprinters Smith and Carlos (gold and bronze respectively) also took off their shoes to raise awareness for poverty and injustice in America. To some, this move was criticized as a political stunt in an otherwise apolitical event. Others maintained the two athletes were civil heroes who used their platform for good.
Bobby Orr Taking Flight
Possibly one of the most amazing photos in the history of the NHL belongs to Bobby Orr, the Boston Bruins Hall of Fame defenseman. In Game 4 of the 1970 NHL Stanley Cup Finals, they went into overtime, and the Bruins were on the verge of securing their first Cup since 1941, and Orr delivered.
Orr was unintentionally tripped by a defenseman, which sent him flying almost immediately after sinking the game-winning goal. The photo, taken from behind the goal, would come to symbolize Orr's illustrious career.
In one of the biggest Super Bowl setbacks, Joe Namath and his team, the underdog Jets offense picked apart the esteemed Colts defense on their way to a 16-7 victory. It proved to be the Jets' only Super Bowl victory. Namath was named MVP of the game. Since Namath retired, The Jets have yet to find a permanent quarterback.
Abebe at the 1960 Olympics
Abebe Bikila became the first Ethiopian marathon runner to defend his Olympic title successfully. His first gold medal performance happened during the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics, where he ran the course barefoot, as we can see in the picture. As a seasoned runner, he was used to running without shoes.
Abebe won gold again in the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 1964, four years later. Nowadays, the thought of running barefoot is unimaginable, never mind a marathon!
Ted Williams' Bat
Ted Williams was unmistakably the face of the Red Sox and the greatest overall hitter in baseball history. Ted did it all, except winning a world series. As a true American hero, he also a fighter pilot in World War II and the War with Korea.
He procured over 500 home runs and has the highest on-base percentage of all time. Following the Korean War, Williams almost effortlessly transitioned back to baseball as if he never left.