Actor Everett Osborne explores racial equality in sports via the Life of Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton
When thinking about racial equality in sports, one immediately conjures up thoughts of young Jackie Robinson stepping between the lines to become the first African American athlete in Major League Baseball in 1947.
But what about the other major sports? While we hear so much about Robinson suiting up for the Brooklyn Dodgers, less is known about the other three major sports. While Fritz Pollard is credited for being the first African American professional football player in 1920, the NHL’s Willie O’Ree didn't break the color barrier until 1958 as a member of the Boston Bruins.
Perhaps the most diverse league in professional sports today, the NBA, wasn’t always known for being a game for all ethnicities. As a tenet of proof, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, who had spent many years toiling for the independent Harlem Globetrotters, didn't step foot on an NBA court to become its first African American player until signing a contract with the New York Knicks in 1950. Without Clifton, there would be no Michael Jordan or Lebron James to cheer for today.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
“As any great leader is, he had a heart for people and a heart for service,” actor Everett Osborne shares. “Outside of being an amazing athlete, he fought and he served in war for our country. And I think there's something valuable when people put their life on the line for others, whether it be the same color or not. His fight was beyond just to be the first black. His fight was for connection, for love, for humanity, for civil rights, and obviously for his people as well.”
Sweetwater, Clifton’s inspirational story of overcoming a lifetime of barriers and racial discrimination is the subject of a new movie streaming on the Angel Studios app. In addition to Osborne who stars in the movie as Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, the film also features an all-star cast, including Richard Dreyfuss, Jim Caviezel, Jeremy Piven, Kevin Pollak and Cary Elwes.
“These people are great, but not because of their accolades,” points out Osborne, who has also guest starred on the Chicago Fire television series. “They're great because they actually show up and are human beings and put a hundred percent into their craft. Every single one of these guys that you mentioned showed up every day with their best, and gave it their all as if they were making their first film. It was just beautiful energy and a great opportunity.”
We recently sat down with Osborne on The Crossmap Podcast to discuss why Clifton should be seen as a pioneer for racial equality in sports, valuable lessons that can be learned from his life and witness, and how his life can be seen as hope for tomorrow as well as today.
Listen now:
