Unrecognized Greatness
The world's best athlete?
"Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does."
– Nelson Mandela
Unrecognized Greatness
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life
The world's greatest athletes from over 200 countries for 400 different sporting events have converged on Paris, France for the XXXIII Olympiad. World-class athleticism will be on display for three weeks. We will celebrate feats never seen before and banter about who we think is the best.
Who do you believe is the greatest athlete of all time?
Names like Jim Thorpe, Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, Simone Biles, and Bo Jackson often come up in these discussions. However, one name you rarely hear from the so-called "experts" is the Olympic great Milt Campbell. Despite his incredible achievements, Campbell remains underappreciated in our sports-obsessed society. Why is that?
Dr. Rob Gilbert, a renowned performance psychologist, considers Milt Campbell the greatest athlete ever. Yet, many people have never heard of this trailblazer and groundbreaker in the world of sports.
Milt Campbell was born in 1933, in Plainfield, New Jersey. In high school, he excelled in track, football, and swimming, debunking myths about swimming. His talent was undeniable. While still in high school, Campbell won a silver medal in the decathlon at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Four years later, he made history at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, becoming the first African American to win a gold medal in the decathlon.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Campbell's life was marred by racism and discrimination. In 1957, after his Olympic gold, he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns (NFL) but was released for marrying a white woman. Campbell then played in the Canadian Football League, where he continued to showcase his elite athleticism. His skills extended beyond football; he was also an accomplished judoka. Unfortunately, his professional football career barred him from competing in the Olympics for judo.
Throughout his career, Campbell faced numerous challenges and injustices, yet he remained undeterred. His resilience and determination are qualities that most can only aspire to. Overlooked and underappreciated, Campbell leaves us with important lasting lessons. Greatness often goes unrecognized, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t great. True leadership involves overcoming adversity and breaking barriers. Campbell's life and career inspire not only athletic excellence but also the recognition of those who paved the way for future generations.
Milt Campbell's story is a powerful reminder to acknowledge the unsung heroes in our own lives and professions. True greatness and leadership may not always receive immediate recognition, but its impact endures. This is Milt Campbell’s legacy – a testament to resilience, excellence, and the lasting influence of those who pave the way for all of us!
(Share your thoughts in the comments, who do you believe is the greatest athlete of all time … and why? People only - Secretariat is ineligible for this poll!)
“Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear sweat, sacrifice, and resilience.”
Connecting this quote to the story. This quote captures Milt Campbell's journey, and that heroism can be found through adversity and achieving greatness with relentless effort and determination.
This week’s Chasing Influence tip: Who is in the shadows of our leadership influence that we need to lift up and spotlight? The greatest contributions often come from those who work diligently and overcome challenges without seeking the spotlight.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
Updates on Chasing Influence
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life is available in Kindle, softcover, hardcover, and audiobook editions.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2024
It is the work you do outside of the spotlight, the arena, the stadium that is bathed in sweat , challenged by pain and exhaustion that go unrecognized. And that create personal dividends that no one else might notice BUT you do!!!!