This February, Sports Illustrated is celebrating Black History Month by spotlighting a different iconic athlete or group of athletes every day. Today, SI looks back on the legacy of the Syracuse 8.
Like the Black 14 just a year prior, the Syracuse 8 took a stand against oppression and were punished in the process.
In 1970, nine African-American players protested against Syracuse University's discriminatory practices. (The media erroneously named them the Syracuse 8, not realizing that another injured player was a part of the movement.)
The nine were never directly punished, but none ever fulfilled their once-very realistic goals to play professional football as a result of their protest.