Sports Spotlights

Jessie Owens

Jessie Owens was born on September 12, 1913, in Oakville, Alabama, and named James "J.C" Cleveland. Jessie and his family moved to Cleveland at the request of his sister Lillie. At the school, the teacher mistook his southern accent and thought he said Jessie and that's how he received his name. After being timed in gym class for the 60-yard sprint, the teacher was amazed at his time. Jessie competed in the 100 and 220-yard dash, hurdles, high and long jump, and the 440-yard run. He held the high school record for the 100-yard dash at 9.4 seconds. Jessie became the hero in Track and Field in 1936 at the Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany