2010 Black History Month: #23 Black Sports Moment

By: Luke Florence

2010 Black History Month: #23 Black Sports Moment

Jarome Iginla Becomes First Black NHL Captain

Jackie Robinson is remembered as the first black baseball player in the Major Leagues. But, he is also remembered as one of the best baseball players ever to play the game. It's a rarity to find an athlete who is one of the first, and also one of the best.

Unfortunately for Jackie, his playing days were well before Matt Barnes came along, so he does not qualify for this list. But thankfully, Jarome Iginla does.

Some of you may not know who Iginla is, and shame on you. Iginla is one of the best hockey players in the world, and has been for quite some time. He won the Art Ross Trophy (given to the person with the most points scored in a season) back in 2002. He helped lead Team Canada to a Gold Medal the very same year. He made it to the Stanley Cup Finals a year later, and most recently recorded his 900th career point.

Have I mentioned that he's black?

In a sport dominated by white athletes, Iginla is an enigma. Yet he is without question one of hockey's best players.

At the start of the 2003-04 season, the Calgary Flames made headlines by naming Iginla the team's captain, which is an incredibly high honor in hockey. It was the first time in the history of the NHL that a black player was the captain. Sure, there have been other NHL black players to come along before Iginla, and a few of them were pretty good players. Willie O'Ree was the first, and the likes of Grant Fuhr, Anson Carter, and Kevin Weekes all have contributed on a positive level.

But none have reached the super-star level that Jarome Iginla has.

It doesn't hurt that Iginla is a super-nice guy as well, donating thousands of dollars each year to charity, and being well-respected throughout the league. Alexander Ovechkin might be the league's best player, but he is not well-respected throughout the entire NHL.

With the Olympice approaching shortly, take some time and watch Team Canada play. You will get a first-hand look at Iginla's world-class abilities.

Not exactly Jackie Robinson, but close enough for me.

Hint for #22: It's been done only four times in NBA history, with the latter two occasions qualifying for this list.

Until next time, "read it, roll it, hole it."