John Carlos received a full
track and field scholarship to East Texas State University where he led the school to its first Lone State Conference Championship. Transferring to San Jose State University after one year at ETSU, he led the team to its first NCAA Championship, tying the 100-yard dash record with a time of 9.1 seconds. At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, Carlos earned bronze in the 200-meter. During the award ceremony he courageously stood up for racial equality on the world’s largest stage during the civil movement, with his black-gloved fist raised in the air and removing shoes, alongside teammate
Tommie Smith. This act established a legacy of championing for equal rights that continues to inspire activist today. The Harlem, New York, native was elected into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2003 for his leadership. In 2008, he accepted the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his salute, at the 2008 ESPY Awards and was recognized at the White House by President Obama in 2016. Carlos continues to work for human rights and is a founding member of the Olympic Project for Human Rights.