Jesse Owens

A portrait of Jesse Owens by Tobyn (I drew this picture.)

Just picture a boy who was too sick to do his farm work. When you’re finished reading this page you’ll know about my hero Jesse Owens.

James Cleveland Owens was born on September 12, 1913. His family were sharecroppers. Sharecroppers are people who live on someone else's land and do their work so they can live there free. James or JC was to sick with pneumonia to do his work.

One day he moved to Cleveland Ohio. When he went to school the teacher thought he said Jesse when he actually said JC. On church days his dad ran races. That’s why he loves running.

One day during recess the gym teacher pulled him off the playground and asked him if he wanted to run in track and field. He said yes.

At the 1936 Olympic games he won four gold medals. Jesse Owens died March 31, 1980.

Now you’ll never forget about my hero Jesse Owens.