Jesse Owens Research Paper

“We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” -Jesse Owens. Jesse Owens was born on September 12, 1913, in Alabama. His real name is James Cleveland but is commonly known as Jesse. He was a black track and field athlete. This made it harder on him competing in high school and the Olympics. Because of his race, racism troubled his life, but that did not stop Jesse Owens from becoming one of the best track and field athletes at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. James Cleveland Owens was born on September 12, 1913, in Danville, Alabama. At the age of 9, he and his family moved to Ohio. When in junior high, the teacher was calling roll and instead of J.C., she thought he said Jesse. This is where he got the name Jesse, and that name stuck with him forever. (Legend). His parents are Henry and Emma Owens. (1913-1980). His parents had 11 children; he was the 7th. (Jesse). Henry and Emma were sharecroppers. (Gold Medal). Jesse suffered from chronic …show more content…
(Legend). He paid for his own college tuition. He did not receive a scholarship. Jesse had to live off campus because he was black. (Jesse). He sustained a back injury from falling down stairs. This put him out for only an abbreviated time. He attended the Big Ten Championship on May 25, 1935, where he set 3 world records and a fourth was tied. (Legend). Jesse became one of the best athletes while going to Ohio State University. (Gold Medal). Jesse Owens married his wife Ruth on July 5, 1935, in her parents living room. (1913-1980). They got married at 18 years old. He left Ohio State his senior year to provide for Ruth. (Jesse). Jesse worked many small jobs to support him and his wife. (Legend). They had 3 daughters named Gloria, Beverly, and Marlene. Jesse and Ruth were married for 48 years. He and his family lived in Cleveland for a while but moved to Chicago in 1950.