National Museum of African American History and Culture
Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
September 24, 2016 – Indefinitely
Learn about the contributions of athletes on and off the field. Because sports were among the first and most high-profile organizations to accept African Americans on terms of relative equality, sports have a unique role in American culture. Artifacts on view include sports equipment; awards, trophies, and photos; training logs and playbooks; and posters and flyers. A grip bag and uneven-bar grips used by African American gymnast Gabby Douglas in the 2012 Olympics, a white terrycloth robe worn by Muhammad Ali, and the track shoes and gold medals of Carl Lewis are among the artifacts in the museum’s sports collection.
Jersey for the Cleveland Browns worn and signed by Jim Brown
