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What Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith learned during visit to National Civil Rights Museum
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- What Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith learned during visit to National Civil Rights Museum
Cheryl Miller and Amar'e Stoudemire had a unique experience at the National Civil Rights Museum on Sunday.
The two visited the museum alongside Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith, which meant Miller got to watch Smith as he looked at the iconic photo of him and fellow gold medalist John Carlos holding their fists in the air at the 1968 Olympic Games.
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And even Smith learned something new while looking around the museum.
"My victory stance pose was not the first time," he said during the Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium on Monday at FedExForum . "There were kids before me that did the same pose. And I didn't know it until when?"
"Until yesterday," Miller answered.
"Here I am, pushing 100, and I'm just now seeing things," Smith said. "Don't be unaware. There are still things you have to learn. No matter what degrees you have, nothing is bigger than life."
Miller, Stoudemire and Smith were presented with the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award on Monday, part of the annual traditions when the Memphis Grizzlies host a game on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Included in the weekend is the trip to the museum.
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During an hourlong conversation moderated by Grizzlies play-by-play announcer Pete Pranica, the three honorees talked about their social justice journeys and what they've learned throughout their careers. Miller, 61, was emotional talking about the impact Smith, 80, had on her.
"My first thought was: Young man, would you have done that had you known the price that you would pay?" Miller asked. "Young man, who was there to hold you when your tears were shed? Young man, God bless you for the courage."
All three were standout athletes who won Olympic medals. Miller won two NCAA titles (1983-84) at Southern California. Stoudemire, 42, played 14 years in the NBA and is a six-time All-Star, and Smith set the world record in the 200-meter dash during a record-breaking track career.
Monday was the 23rd time the Grizzlies have played on MLK Day. They hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum later on Monday afternoon, and Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. addressed the crowd before the game about the importance of the MLK Day tradition.
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The three honorees were there as well. A common theme during their conversation on Monday was how much they've learned from each other, especially during their visit to the museum.
"It was a massive history lesson," Stoudemire said.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Olympics' Tommie Smith learned at National Civil Rights Museum
