Throughout history, America has produced countless sports legends, some of whom have achieved iconic status, while others remain largely forgotten. While athletes like Michael Jordan and Serena Williams dominate the headlines, there are many unsung heroes whose contributions to their respective sports shaped the landscape, but their names have faded with time. These athletes overcame adversity, broke barriers, and brought unique talents to their sports, yet their legacies are often overshadowed. Here are seven forgotten American sports heroes who truly deserve more recognition.

1. Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe is often hailed as one of the greatest all-around athletes in American history, yet his name doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. Thorpe was an Olympic gold medalist, a professional football and baseball player, and a Hall of Fame athlete in multiple sports. His versatility and athleticism were unmatched, and he was the first Native American to win a gold medal in the Olympic Games. Despite his accomplishments, Thorpe’s Olympic titles were controversially stripped after it was revealed he had played professional baseball before competing in the Games. His legacy is often overshadowed by these controversies, but Thorpe remains a trailblazer in American sports history.

2. Moses Fleetwood Walker

Moses Fleetwood Walker was the first African American to play professional baseball in the major leagues, nearly 60 years before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Walker played for the Toledo Blue Stockings in 1884, and although his career was brief, it marked a significant milestone in the fight for racial equality in sports. Unfortunately, due to racial prejudice, Walker’s career was cut short, and he was one of the first African American players to be excluded from the game after the “gentleman’s agreement” that kept Black athletes out of Major League Baseball. His story has been largely forgotten, but his role in breaking racial barriers is crucial to the history of American sports.

3. Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson was a pioneering figure in tennis, becoming the first African American to compete in the U.S. National Championships (now the U.S. Open) in 1950. Gibson went on to win the French Open in 1956, followed by the U.S. Open and Wimbledon in 1957 and 1958, breaking both racial and gender barriers in the sport. Despite her groundbreaking accomplishments, Gibson’s legacy is often overlooked, especially in comparison to modern tennis stars. Her resilience and achievements paved the way for athletes like Serena Williams, yet her name is not as commonly mentioned in the history of tennis as it should be.

4. Rocky Marciano

Rocky Marciano, the undefeated heavyweight boxing champion, is one of the greatest to ever step into the ring. With a perfect record of 49-0, Marciano’s resilience and determination set him apart in the boxing world. His victories over some of the best boxers of his time, including Joe Louis and Jersey Joe Walcott, earned him a place in the Hall of Fame. However, Marciano’s legacy has been overshadowed by later figures like Muhammad Ali, and he is often overlooked in the pantheon of boxing greats despite his remarkable achievements.

5. Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Jackie Joyner-Kersee is widely regarded as one of the greatest female athletes in history, yet her career doesn’t always receive the attention it deserves. A two-time Olympic gold medalist and a four-time Olympic medalist in track and field, Joyner-Kersee dominated the heptathlon and long jump events throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Her world records and Olympic successes set a high standard for future athletes, yet her name is not as instantly recognizable as other legendary athletes in American sports. Joyner-Kersee’s unmatched versatility and determination deserve more recognition in the history of track and field.

6. Billy Mills

Billy Mills made history in 1964 when he became the first and only American to win the Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 meters. His victory, achieved in one of the most dramatic moments in Olympic history, was especially significant considering Mills came from a Native American background and had little expectation of winning. Despite his incredible achievement, Mills’ name is not as widely remembered as other Olympic champions. His win was a powerful moment for Native Americans in sports, and his story deserves to be remembered as one of perseverance and triumph against the odds.

7. Patricia McCormick

Patricia McCormick is one of the most successful female divers in Olympic history, yet her accomplishments often go unrecognized. McCormick won two gold medals in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and two more in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, making her one of the most dominant divers of her era. Her achievements helped put women’s diving on the map, but she has largely faded from the public’s memory. McCormick’s legacy as a pioneering female athlete in the Olympic Games should be celebrated, as she set the stage for future women in diving and other sports.