Super Bowl MVP awards are mostly given out to quarterbacks who control the tempo of the game, but Lynn Swann would not be denied the honor when the Pittsburgh Steelers clashed against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X. His win documented Lynn’s catching 4 passes for 161 yards, and a touchdown.
As a result, he became the first-ever wide receiver to become a Super Bowl MVP. Up to this day, there are still very few names added to the list. In this photograph, Lynn makes a difficult catch while he floats over Mark Washington of the Dallas Cowboys.
BEN JOHNSON
This picture of Ben Johnson, a Canadian former sprinter, was taken during the Summer Olympics, Sept. 24, 1988, in Seoul, South Korea. Prior to the competition, he had lost to his American rival, Carl Lewis, eight consecutive times, the last in 1985.
Ben Johnson set a world record in the men’s 100-meter dash, scoring along with it an Olympic gold medal. However, after an extensive doping investigation, he was found guilty and was stripped of his medal; his world record invalidated.
JACKIE ROBINSON
This picture shows Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers running to first base in a game against the New York Yankees. He was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, and the team started him at first base in April 1947. This photograph was taken during the 8th inning of the first game of the World Series, Sept. 28, 1955.
Jackie Robinson raised brows in his very first season, where he won the Rookie of the Year award. In just two years he also earned the league’s MVP award. The Dodgers would go on to win the World Series by beating the Yankees in seven games.
MARY DECKER SLANEY
Prior to the 1984 Olympics held at Los Angeles, world champion distance runner, Mary Decker Slaney had won gold medals in the 1983 Summer Olympics in the 1500m, and the 3000m category. She had high hopes coming in, due to her preparations, until she got herself tangled in the middle of the 3000m run.
The picture shows her trying to get up, but overcome by pain. She came into a jumble with Zola Budd who was able to continue, although she was also quite shaken. Zola was leading the race before the incident happened, and she dropped considerably to seventh place. Mary Decker Slaney however, did not finish the run after she injured her hip.
MAXWELL FORNAH
This touching photo shows a member of the Single Leg Amputee Sports Club competing for the ball. This shot shows the lasting pain caused among its citizens from the decade-long civil war and the human spirit that still dares to be great despite its scars from a horrible past.
The Single Leg Amputee Sports Club was founded by survivors of the war. Most of them are victims of landmines and have lost a leg or both. They formed this club to show to their society, and the world, that they are capable people; that they don’t want to beg for food, but would rather empower themselves. They are fighting against marginalization in their own communities.