Colors

The Brown Bomber

"The Brown Bomber" was the nickname for Joe Louis, the heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949.

How It's Used

“During the N.F.L.'s years of segregation, Pollard organized all-black teams in Chicago and New York with the dual aim of providing a living for African-American players and showcasing talent. One team was called the Blackhawks. His most famous team was the Brown Bombers, a Harlem-based team (named in honor of Joe Louis) that took on the best white teams.”

“While in Hamburg, Germany, I spoke about Schmeling with Dr. Vitali Klitschko (Klitschko holds a Ph.D. in exercise physiology), the man most widely recognized today as heavyweight champion. Dr. Klitschko observed that Max Schmeling was a mentor both to him and his boxer brother, Wladamir. The current champion concluded, 'Max was a great boxer, but more importantly he was a wonderful person who helped many people in need.' One of those people was, of course, his former rival and close friend, Joseph Barrow Louis. Schmeling quietly provided financial assistance to Louis when he fell into difficult times, and helped pay for the Brown Bomber's funeral.”

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