1. Overview
Milton Gray Campbell (December 9, 1933 - November 2, 2012) was an American decathlete who achieved historic significance as the first African American to win a gold medal in the decathlon at the Summer Olympic Games. His pioneering victory came at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, following a silver medal performance at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. Campbell's athletic career spanned multiple sports, including American football and swimming, but his groundbreaking achievement in the decathlon stood out, especially within the social context of racial perceptions and discrimination in sports during the 1950s.
2. Early Life and Education
Milton Gray Campbell's formative years laid the groundwork for his remarkable athletic career, marked by early talent and a challenging social environment.
2.1. Birth and Background
Milton Gray Campbell, often known as "Milt," was born on December 9, 1933, in Plainfield, New Jersey. His love for sports was evident from a very young age, often competing with and striving to outperform his older brother, Tom.
2.2. High School Years
Campbell attended Plainfield High School (New Jersey), graduating in 1953. During his high school years, he excelled in multiple sports, participating in track and field, playing American football as a fullback, and competing in swimming. His proficiency in swimming was particularly notable, as it challenged the widely accepted idea in the sports world at the time that African Americans were unable to properly swim. Campbell earned "All-State" distinctions in both football and swimming. He set New Jersey state records in the high and low hurdles and in the high jump, and scored 140 points as a fullback in football. In 1952, he was named Track and Field News "High School Athlete of the Year." Campbell's athletic prowess was first noticed during this period, and he expressed to his coach his aspiration to become the greatest athlete in New Jersey. His coach responded by suggesting that Campbell could potentially become the best in the world if he were to win the Olympic decathlon. This conversation inspired Campbell, who had never heard of the decathlon, to research the event and begin training for it, aiming to represent the United States in the upcoming 1952 Olympic Games.
2.3. College Years
Following his high school graduation, Campbell enrolled at Indiana University (Bloomington). There, he continued to pursue his athletic passions, playing college football and running track. His time at Indiana University further prepared him for his burgeoning track and field career, particularly in anticipation of the 1956 Summer Olympics.
3. Athletics Career
Milton Campbell's track and field career was defined by his groundbreaking performances at the Olympic Games, where he established himself as a dominant force in the decathlon.
3.1. 1952 Helsinki Olympics
At just 18 years old, Campbell made the United States Olympic decathlon team for the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. Notably, his qualification for the decathlon was his first-ever participation in such an event. Initially, Campbell had aimed to qualify for the hurdles event but placed fourth, missing the top three spots required for qualification. In the decathlon, he finished second, earning a silver medal behind Bob Mathias, who had won gold at the previous 1948 London Games. Despite the achievement, Campbell was personally disappointed, having aimed for victory, and resolved to train more intensely over the next four years for the 1956 Olympics.
3.2. 1956 Melbourne Olympics
Campbell's dedication culminated in a gold medal victory at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. He dominated the decathlon competition, achieving a score of 7937 points, a performance that closely approached the world record at the time. He significantly outscored competitors, including the then-world record holder Rafer Johnson. His victory marked a historic milestone, as he became the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal in the decathlon. During these games, he also set a record of 13.4 seconds for the 120 yard hurdles.
4. Football Career
Beyond his Olympic triumphs, Milton Campbell also pursued a professional career in American and Canadian football, a journey that highlighted both his athletic versatility and the racial prejudices prevalent in sports during his era.
4.1. NFL Career
In 1957, Campbell was drafted by the NFL's Cleveland Browns. He played one season as a halfback, sharing the backfield with the legendary Jim Brown, who was then the team's Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year. During his brief stint with the Browns, Campbell rushed seven times for 23 yd.
4.2. Discriminatory Release from NFL
Campbell's NFL career was unjustly cut short due to racial discrimination. The owner of the Cleveland Browns, Paul Brown, released Campbell from the team because of his marriage to Barbara Mount, a white woman. This decision reflected Paul Brown's "segregationist ideals," which he prioritized over Campbell's athletic ability. According to Campbell, Paul Brown summoned him to his office the day before his release and questioned him about his marriage. Campbell responded that he married for the same reason Brown presumably did and asserted that it was none of Brown's business. The following day, Campbell received a letter informing him that his services were no longer needed by the Browns. This incident stands as a significant example of the systemic racism that impacted African American athletes' careers during that period.
4.3. Canadian Football League (CFL) Career
Determined to continue his football career, Campbell moved to Canada and joined the CFL. He played for several teams, including the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (where he rushed for 468 yd in 8 games), the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen, the Montreal Alouettes (playing 3 games), and the Toronto Argonauts (playing 9 games). He continued his professional football career in the CFL until his retirement in 1964.
5. Other Sports Activities
Milton Campbell's athletic prowess extended beyond track and field and football, showcasing his remarkable versatility in other sports.
5.1. Swimming
Campbell was an excellent swimmer during his youth and achieved "All-State" honors in the sport during his high school years. His success in swimming was particularly notable given the prevailing racial prejudices that suggested African Americans were inherently unable to swim effectively.
5.2. Judo
After concluding his professional football career, Campbell sought to remain active and took up judo. He quickly advanced through the ranks under the tutelage of Yoshishada Yoneska, who believed Campbell had a strong chance to make the 1972 Summer Olympics team for judo. However, an AAU official disqualified him from Olympic consideration, citing his past as a professional football player. Campbell found this ruling troubling, as professional track athletes were permitted to compete in the Olympics, while his professional football career barred him from doing so, highlighting a perceived unfairness in sports regulations at the time.
6. Legacy and Recognition
Despite his extraordinary athletic achievements, Milton Campbell's public recognition and legacy were significantly impacted by the racial climate of his era, leading to a disparity between his accomplishments and his public profile.
6.1. Hall of Fame Inductions and Awards
Campbell received numerous accolades and inductions into prestigious halls of fame throughout his life. He was inducted into the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1982 and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame in 1992. In 1997, he was honored with induction into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Hall of Fame. In June 2012, just months before his passing, Campbell was voted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the International Swimming Hall of Fame, uniquely holding a spot in both. In recognition of his contributions, Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree in 2008.
6.2. Lack of Public Recognition and Social Commentary
Despite his pioneering achievements, Milton Campbell never became a household name in the same way as other prominent athletes of his time. Unlike contemporary Olympic decathletes such as Bob Mathias and Bruce Jenner, who garnered significant endorsements and appeared on Wheaties cereal boxes after their victories, Campbell received no cash, sponsors, or television feature requests following his 1956 gold medal win. When asked about this disparity in treatment, Campbell famously stated that "America wasn't ready for a black man to be the best athlete in the world." He has since been characterized as an "Olympic superstar who is 'famous' for not being famous." Even in the 21st century, his exclusion from lists compiled by renowned sports news platforms, such as ESPN's "50 Greatest Black Athletes" and "Top 100 Athletes of the 20th Century" in 2000, underscores the persistent lack of widespread recognition for his remarkable athletic prowess and historical significance. This pattern highlights the impact of systemic racism on the narrative and public profile of pioneering African American athletes.
7. Personal Life and Death
Milton Campbell's personal life included his family and his final years, marked by a battle with illness.
7.1. Marriage and Family
Milton Campbell was married to Barbara Mount, a union that notably led to his discriminatory release from the NFL. He was survived by his daughters, Julee Campbell, Dorianne B., and Mona H.; his sons, Justin Campbell and Milton G. Campbell, III (his son Milton G. Campbell Jr. was deceased); his granddaughter, Taria L. Campbell; and his great-grandchild, Nathaniel G. Johnsen. In his later years, he was accompanied by his long-standing girlfriend, Linda Rusch.
7.2. Death
Milton Gray Campbell passed away on November 2, 2012, at the age of 78, at his home in Gainesville, Georgia. His death followed a long battle with prostate cancer. He was interred at Memorial Park Cemetery and Mausoleum - North in Gainesville.