Many people don’t realize that in 1952, Joe Louis was the ambassador for the Chevrolet Car Corporation. Joe Louis was known for beating Max Schmeling. in the heavyweight championship of 1938. At that time, Germany (where Max was from), was touting the Aryan race as the dominant race in the world. At that time, for a man of color to destroy Hitler’s myth that they were superior to all others vanished with a knockout in the first round and thrusted Joe Louis as the most popular man in the world. This was probably known as the worlds most famous fight because of the worldwide implications and the impending world war which we were knocking on the doorstep.
Joe Louis remained a very loveable character and was the spokesman for Chevrolet in 1952. Joe was a zero handicap golfer and loved the game. He was given an invitation to play in the San Diego Open in 1952. However, in 1952 the PGA of America had a color clause which prohibited black players from playing in any of their sponsored events. Without an invitation Joe was denied the ability to play in the 1952 San Diego Open. Governor Brown of California got wind of this action by the PGA of America and told the PGA that if Joe Louis was not allowed to play, then the PGA had to remove the tournament from their schedule and any other PGA events in California were not to be played under these circumstances. The PGA relented, and after some hemming and hawing, they allowed Joe Louis to play. He shot 78 and 81 and failed to make the cut, but what he was successful at was breaking the color barrier for the PGA tour in 1952.
As much as Joe Louis loved the sport of boxing, I’m sure his actions in his heart were equal to the knockout of Max Schmeling in 1938. As Joe Louis toured the country with black pros for the rest of his life and loved the game of golf as much as any pro or amateur could. He was a tremendous athlete and role model, and he stood for truth, justice and the American way. Thank you, Joe, for bringing golf into the 21st Century on that day in 1952.
The Blue Whale Exercise Program 