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Entertainment National Sports Events Movies & TV

Game Changers: 11 Afro-Latino Athletes Who've Ruled The Playing Field

February 18, 2016 - 11:49 am by VIBE Viva

Considered heroes in their homeland and nations around the world.

World-renowned sportsmen like baseball icon Roberto Clemente and soccer legend Pelé were not only star athletes, they were considered heroes in their homeland and nations around the world. Their pioneering careers left an everlasting impact on future athletes, inspiring the Alex Rodriguezes and Ron Riveras of our time.

Cleveland Indians player "Minnie" Miñoso breaking the color line in sports gave others permission to do the same. With New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony at a basketball forefront and viral sensation Sophina DeJesus inspiring a new generation of athletes, sports wunderkinds of color from all walks of life will continue to level the playing field in arenas that span the spectrum.

In honor of #BlackHistoryMonth, we acknowledge these Afro-Latinos – some legendary, others on the come up – who will undoubtedly influence and continue to influence the world of sports.

1
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Sophina Saáde DeJesus
Daily Bruin
2
17

Sophina Saáde DeJesus

UCLA senior gymnast Sophina DeJesus made headlines this year for her unforgettable performance during her gymnastics competition against Utah. The Afro-Boricua may have won over her college fans with her dab-tastic routines, but she’s been whipping and nae-naeing before she became an accredited gymnast. DeJesus is also a professional dancer and actress, who has appeared in videos for Missy Elliot, Disney, and TLC’s Hip Hop Harry. As she continues to progress in the world of gymnastics, DeJesus paves the way for other young women of color to succeed in a sport dominated by her more slimmer, Caucasian counterparts.
Luis Tiant
Getty Images
3
17

Luis Tiant

Luis Clemente Tiant Vegas is a former right-handed starting pitcher. Tiant pitched for 19 years primarily for the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox. Over the span of his long-standing career, Tiant amassed a 229–172 record with 2,416 strikeouts, a 3.30 ERA, 187 complete games and 49 shutouts in 3,486.1 innings. The player of Cuban descent was an All-Star for three seasons and 20-game winner for four seasons. Tiant was the American League pitching champion in 1968 and 1972. As the AL leader in strikeouts for 9-innings in 1967 and the AL leader in shutouts in 1966, 68 and 74, Tiant was finally inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997.
Roberto Clemente
Getty Images
4
17

Roberto Clemente

There’s no denying the impact Roberto Clemente has had on Latinos in baseball. The native of Carolina, Puerto Rico became the first-ever Boricua to play in the National League as a right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente earned the title of “All-Star” for twelve seasons and was the NL Most Valuable Player in 1966. He was also the NL batting leader in 1961, 1964, 1965, and 1967, and a Gold Glove winner for twelve consecutive seasons from 1961 through 1972. His batting average was over .300 for thirteen seasons and garnered 3,000 major league hits throughout his career. He also played in two World Series championships.

During his flight to a charity mission to Managua, Nicaragua in 1972, Clemente’s plane crashed off the coast of Puerto Rico. There were no survivors, and his body was never recovered. In 1973, Clemente was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which made him the first Latin American and Caribbean player to be immortalized.

Idalys Ortiz
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5
17

Idalys Ortiz

Idalys Ortiz, 26, is one of the most notable Cuban judokas. Ortiz dominated Pan American Judo Championships, claiming 1st place in national competitions before getting her well-deserved shine in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Ortiz stunned the world when she took home the bronze for dominating Judo at the Summer Games in Beijing. Afterwards, Ortiz placed 1st in the heavyweight category at national competitions and ranked in the top 5 in World Judo Championships. In recent years, Ortiz has been dubbed an Olympic Champion for her performance in the 2012 London games and earned the title of World Champion at the Astana World Judo Championship in 2013 and 2014. After accumulating plenty of awards for her achievements in Judo, Ortiz was named the top female athlete in Cuba in 2014.
Carmelo Anthony
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6
17

Carmelo Anthony

Brooklyn native Carmelo Anthony’s extended resume of notable accolades began to stack up to the clouds after his promising high school career. As a college freshman, Melo led the Orangemen of Syracuse to their first National Championship in 2003 before being drafted into the NBA, where he was selected as the third overall draft pick for the Denver Nuggets. Throughout his lengthy career, Anthony has dubbed an All-Star nine times, played as an All-NBA Team member six times and has represented the U.S.A. in the Olympics three times. Since being traded to the New York Knicks in 2011, Melo went on to add more notable achievements to his growing record. During his last Olympic game in 2012, Anthony became one of the only Puerto Ricans to set the Olympic record for most points in a single game.
Mychal Rivera
Getty Images
7
17

Mychal Rivera

Oakland Raiders’ own Mychal Rivera has always stood out amongst his fellow teammates. When he was selected in the 6th round of the 2013 Draft to the Raiders, the Afro-Puerto Rican was considered the underdog. That all changed after he caught the first touchdown of his professional career. Even though he also suffered his first concussion of his career weeks later, Rivera continues to shine and progress as the team’s outstanding tight end. Rivera’s family is usually in attendance at his games to cheer him on including his younger sister and former Glee star, Naya Rivera.
Pelé
Getty Images
8
17

Pelé

There’s no denying the impact Roberto Clemente has had on people in general. The native of Carolina, Puerto Rico became the first-ever Boricua to play in the National League as a right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente earned the title of “All-Star” for twelve seasons and was the NL Most Valuable Player in 1966. He was also the NL batting leader in 1961, 1964, 1965 and 1967, and a Gold Glove winner for twelve consecutive seasons from 1961–1972. His batting average was over .300 for thirteen seasons and garnered 3,000 major league hits throughout his career. He also played in two World Series championships. During his flight to a charity mission to Managua, Nicaragua in 1972, Clemente’s plane crashed off the coast of Puerto Rico. There were no survivors and his body was never recovered. In 1973, Clemente was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which made him the first Latin American and Caribbean player to be immortalized. In 1961, serving President of Brazil Jânio Quadros deemed Pelé a national treasure. After becoming an athletic icon in sports and foreign film, Pelé was elected “Athlete of the Century” by the International Olympic Committee. TIME also named him in their list of 100 most influential people of the 20th century. In 2013, Pelé received the FIFA Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur award in recognition of his career and achievements as a global icon of fútbol.
Victor Cruz
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9
17

Victor Cruz

Football fans have picked up some swift salsa moves from Victor Cruz since he made his debut in the NFL. The wide receiver for the New York Giants single-handedly remixed el merengue y la salsa with his obligatory victory moves after every touchdown he makes. Since being drafted from UMass to the Giants in 2010, the Afro-Puerto Rican born in Paterson, New Jersey has won the NFC Championship and took home a ring for winning Super Bowl XLVI. Although he has suffered numerous injuries that have kept him off the field this past season, Cruz is still revered as one of most refreshing Latino football players in the league today.
"Minnie" Miñoso
Getty Images
10
17

"Minnie" Miñoso

Saturnino Orestes Armas "Mnnie" Miñoso aka "The Cuban Comet" and "Mr. White Sox", was the first Afro-Cuban in the major leagues and the first black player in White Sox history. “Minnie” began his baseball career in 1946 after he played as an All-Star third baseman with the New York Cubans. Miñoso was signed by the Cleveland Indians after the 1948 season at the time period when baseball's color line was slowly disintegrating. Miñoso went on to become an All-Star left fielder with the Indians and Chicago White Sox. In 1951, he was the one of the first Latin Americans to play in an MLB All-Star Game. In time, Miñoso became one of the most popular players in White Sox franchise history. He held the White Sox record for career home runs from 1956–1974. Nearly two decades after the White Sox retired his uniform and his induction to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame, the team debuted a statue of Miñoso at U.S. Cellular Field. Miñoso passed away at the age of 92, last March.
Roberto Clemente
Getty Images
11
17

Roberto Clemente

There’s no denying the impact Roberto Clemente has had on people in general. The native of Carolina, Puerto Rico became the first-ever Boricua to play in the National League as a right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente earned the title of “All-Star” for twelve seasons and was the NL Most Valuable Player in 1966. He was also the NL batting leader in 1961, 1964, 1965 and 1967, and a Gold Glove winner for twelve consecutive seasons from 1961–1972. His batting average was over .300 for thirteen seasons and garnered 3,000 major league hits throughout his career. He also played in two World Series championships. During his flight to a charity mission to Managua, Nicaragua in 1972, Clemente’s plane crashed off the coast of Puerto Rico. There were no survivors and his body was never recovered. In 1973, Clemente was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which made him the first Latin American and Caribbean player to be immortalized.
Arian Foster
Getty Images
12
17

Arian Foster

 The Houston Texan’s star runningback Arian Foster has been able to make an astonishing name for himself on and off the field. Since joining the team in 2009, the Mexican-American athlete continues to hold franchise records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. His signature “Namaste” bow has become synonymous amongst the Texans’ loyal fan base.

Although he’s known as one of the best runningbacks in the league, Foster has managed to gain some notable experience in front of the camera. Foster has appeared in several documentaries, guest-starred in TV series like Hawaii 5.0 and land roles in major Hollywood films like Draft Day starring Kevin Costner. If his football career doesn’t work out, Foster has the potential to flourish and become a pro in another multi-million dollar industry.

"Minnie" Miñoso
Getty Images
13
17

"Minnie" Miñoso

 Saturnino Orestes Armas "Mnnie" Miñoso aka "The Cuban Comet" and "Mr. White Sox", was the first Afro-Cuban in the major leagues and the first black player in White Sox history. “Minnie” began his baseball career in 1946 after he played as an All-Star third baseman with the New York Cubans. Miñoso was signed by the Cleveland Indians after the 1948 season at the time period when baseball's color line slowly fell. Miñoso went on to become an All-Star left fielder with the Indians and Chicago White Sox. In 1951, he was the one of the first Latin Americans to play in an MLB All-Star Game. In time, Miñoso became one of the most popular players in White Sox franchise history. He held the White Sox record for career home runs from 1956 to 1974. Nearly two decades after the White Sox retired his uniform and his induction to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame, the team debuted a statue of Miñoso at U.S. Cellular Field. Miñoso passed away at the age of 92 last March.

Luis Tiant
Getty Images
14
17

Luis Tiant

Luis Clemente Tiant Vegas is a former right-handed starting pitcher. Tiant pitched for 19 years primarily for the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox. Over the span of his long-standing career, Tiant amassed a 229–172 record with 2416 strikeouts, a 3.30 ERA, 187 complete games, and 49 shutouts in 3,486.1 innings. The player of Cuban descent was an All-Star for three seasons and 20-game winner for four seasons.

Tiant was the American League (AL) pitching champion in 1968 and 1972. As the AL leader in strikeouts for 9-innings in 1967 and the AL leader in shutouts in 1966, 68, and 74, Tiant was finally inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame In 1997.

Pelé
Getty Images
15
17

Pelé

Brazilian soccer idol Edson Arantes do Nascimento aka Pelé is considered the most successful league goal scorer in the world. Throughout his legendary career, Pele racked up at least 541 league goals. In total Pelé scored 1281 goals in 1363 games, including unofficial friendlies and tour games. He was listed in the Guinness World Records for most career goals scored in fútbol. During the prime of his career, Pelé was the best-paid athlete in the world. In Brazil, he is revered as a national hero for his accomplishments in soccer and for his vocal support to improve the social conditions and help the poor. In 1961, serving President of Brazil Jânio Quadros deemed Pelé a national treasure. After becoming an athletic icon in sports and foreign film, Pelé was elected “Athlete of the Century” by the International Olympic Committee. ‘Time’ also named him in their list of 100 most influential people of the 20th century. In 2013, Pelé received the FIFA Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur award in recognition of his career and achievements as a global icon of football.

Arian Foster
Getty Images
16
17

Arian Foster

The Houston Texan’s star runningback Arian Foster has been able to make an astonishing name for himself on and off the field. Since joining the team in 2009, the Afro-Chicano athlete continues to hold franchise records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. His signature “Namaste” bow has become synonymous amongst the Texans’ loyal fan base. Although he’s known as one of the best runningbacks in the league, Foster has managed to gain some notable experience in front of the camera. Foster has appeared in several documentaries, guest-starred in TV series like Hawaii 5.0 and landed roles in major Hollywood films like Draft Day starring Kevin Costner. If his football career doesn’t work out, Foster has the potential to flourish and go pro in another multi-million dollar industry.
Alex Rodriguez
Getty Images
17
17

Alex Rodriguez

It's probable that all sports fans know about Dominican sensation Alex Rodriguez. During his 20-year career, A-Rod has accumulated a .297 batting average, 687 home runs, over 2000 runs batted in (RBI) and over 3,000 hits. After kicking off his exceptional career with the Seattle Mariners in ’94, Rodriguez has ascended to legendary status after receiving an abundance of awards from 14-time AL All-Star to the highly-coveted Babe Ruth Award. Rodriguez's franchise records for the American League and the New York Yankees have yet to be defeated. Although he’s been the center of attention during the “performance enhancement” scandal several years ago, A-Rod’s overall career will never be disallowed from baseball history.
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