Earl Lloyd

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Earl Francis Lloyd is the first African American to play in the NBA in 1950. He broke racial barriers that will forever be remembered in NBA history. In college, "Lloyd attended all-black West Virginia State College"(Earl Lloyd Contemporary Black Biography). Being drafted into the NBA was a major change to what Lloyd was used to. He had to adjust to the harsh and racial comments that he received on a daily basis from fans. "Born circa 1928, Lloyd grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, living under the strict regime of Southern segregation in the era before civil rights"(Earl Lloyd Contemporary Black Biography). Being raised in Alexandria, Virginia, there was major segregation where he grew up. 1950 was the year Lloyd was drafted, three years after Jackie Robinson joined the MLB. Lloyd states that Robinson made it easier for his own career to take place. "On October 31, 1950, Lloyd became the NBA's first African-American player to play when the Capitols took the court in Rochester, New York, against the Rochester Royals"(Earl Lloyd Contemporary Black Biography). This day changed basketball history forever. Although there were many racial controversies during the time, Lloyd continued to work hard and strived to do his best. With his loyalty and tenacity, Lloyd continued to work past the challenges and played with heart and passion.

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Lloyd stayed loyal to his team even after the racist remarks from opponents that took place on the court. One day after a successful game, "Lloyd and a white teammate, walking off the court arm in arm after a Capitols' victory, were spit on by fans" (Earl Lloyd Contemporary Black Biography). Even when Lloyd was treated differently than his teammates, he didn't let the racial remarks get to him. He began to impress fans with his continuous effort in the game. He always had a mentality that no one is perfect, and not everyone will love him. While staying at a hotel before an away game, "One night in Fort Wayne, the Van Orman Hotel refused to let him eat in its restaurant with the rest of the team"(Earl Lloyd Contemporary Black Biography). Despite the racism, Lloyd never stopped trying his hardest because of treatment he received from other people. He proved to others that African Americans were no different than any other race. The more hate he got, the more he thought he was doing something right. Lloyd continued to stick with his team and kept a positive through the seasons.

Despite all the put downs he received from fans, Lloyd maintained tenacious and overcame the racial slurs.  He was explaining the different comments he got from people, he got from people, "...they yell stuff like, 'Go back to Africa.' And I'm telling you, you would often hear the N-word"(Earl Lloyd: A Basketball Pioneer). Despite the disrespect he received from fans, Earl Lloyd kept striving to do his best. He was so used to all the racial slurs, he eventually stopped caring about what they said to him. He remained tenacious because during games, "When clueless fans called Earl Lloyd names, he declined to respond. He wouldn't even look at the faces of those who hate"(Earl Lloyd: A Basketball Pioneer). Fans used profanity to discourage Lloyd. He was so determined and strong-willed that all the hate was completely ignored. Lloyd continued to play the game with passion. He had a tenacious mindset that never let anyone or anything stop him from what he loved to do.

Lloyd contains tenacious and loyal behavior that led him to success in the 50's. He grew up in an area where racial segregation was everywhere, so being drafted into the NBA was a major milestone for him. Receiving racial slurs made him try even harder to prove something to those people. Earl Lloyd inspires me because he's taught me to work hard towards what I want to do when I'm older, no matter what other people say to me. It just gives me another reason to work harder to what I want in life. Lloyd is the first African American to play in the NBA and, "...he was the first African American to be named an assistant coach and the first to be named a bench coach"(Earl Lloyd Contemporary Black Biography). Not only was Lloyd the first African American to play in the NBA, but he was also the first African American to become an assistant coach. There have been many African American All Stars since Lloyd. "He walked a path that has since been traveled by Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Dave Bing, Michael Jordan and, now, by LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire"(Earl Lloyd: A Basketball Pioneer). Without Earl Francis Lloyd, All-Star basketball players that have come along throughout time, would not have existed in history. That's what makes a true hero, working hard to what one's heart desires, no matter how hard it is.

Works Cited

"Earl Lloyd: A Basketball Pioneer." Earl Lloyd: A Basketball Pioneer. Web. 22 Jan. 2015.

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