Category: Cherokee

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Basketball Cherokee NDN All-Star Info NDN All-Star Profile

NDN All-Star #15 Angel Goodrich (Cherokee) –  A Trailblazer on the Basketball Court

 

Hey there, sports fans! Today, let’s talk about the incredible NDN All-Star #15 Angel Goodrich (Cherokee) – a powerhouse in the world of women’s basketball. Angel has not only left her mark on the court with her amazing skills but has also made history as a proud representative of her Cherokee heritage.

Angel’s journey in basketball began at a young age, fueled by her passion for the game. Growing up, she honed her skills at Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where she was the first Division I athletic scholarship recipient in the school’s history. During her 4 years at the Cherokee-operated school, she lettered in basketball, softball and track and field, and earned All-State honors as a sprinter. She also led the school’s basketball team, the Sequoyah Lady Indians, to three consecutive Class AAA state titles.

Her dedication paid off when she played college basketball at the University of Kansas. There, she showcased her exceptional talent as a point guard, leading her team to numerous victories and earning accolades for her outstanding performance. She was recognized nationally for her abilities and accomplishments by being voted as a finalist for the Naismith Award, Wade Trophy, Wooden Award, Nancy Lieberman Award, and the USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Award.

After making a name for herself in college, Angel took her skills to the professional level in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Her time in the league was nothing short of remarkable. As a point guard for the Tulsa Shock (now Dallas Wings) and the Seattle Storm, Angel dazzled fans with her lightning-fast moves, precise passes, and clutch plays. Her tenacity on the court made her a fan favorite and solidified her place as one of the standout players in the WNBA.

What makes Angel Goodrich even more special is her strong connection to her Cherokee heritage. As a proud member of the Cherokee Nation, Angel has embraced and celebrated her roots, becoming a role model for young athletes with indigenous backgrounds. She has not only excelled in her sport but has also used her platform to promote awareness and appreciation for Native American cultures.

In a world where diversity is celebrated, NDN All-Star #15 Angel Goodrich stands out as a trailblazer, breaking barriers and inspiring others with her remarkable journey. From her early days shooting hoops in her hometown to making waves in the WNBA, Angel’s story is one of resilience, passion, and cultural pride. As we cheer for athletes on the court, let’s also celebrate the unique stories and backgrounds that make them the extraordinary individuals they are. Angel – thank you for being a true inspiration both on and off the basketball court!

 

#NDNAllstars #AngelGoodrich #Cherokee #basketball #WNBA #TulsaShock #SeattleStorm

 

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Boxing Cherokee NDN All-Star Info NDN All-Star Profile

NDN All-Star #6 – Jack Dempsey (Cherokee)

I selected Jack Dempsey (Cherokee) for the NDN All-Stars team because – he was the best and toughest boxer of the first half of the 20th Century, and the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World for SEVEN YEARS!

There have been a lot of books written about NDN All-Star #6 Jack Dempsey (Cherokee) so there are tons of resources where you can find out more about his life and his boxing career.  I will provide a short list of some of the books that I have read below.  His story of growing up in poverty and having to fight in bars and back alleys to earn food money gives you an idea of the determination he had to make it to the top.

And on July 4, 1919 – in Toledo, OH, he did just that.  Dempsey shocked the world when he savagely beat the reigning Heavyweight Champion Jess Willard into submission.  The extent of the beating cannot be exaggerated.  Willard’s face was a bloody pulp, he lost teeth, and had his jaw and facial bones broken.  You can see the actual fight here.

After boxing, Jack Dempsey became a successful business man and restaurant owner.  He also dabbled in acting, making a few movies in Hollywood.

NDN All-Star #6 Jack Dempsey’s legacy and impact on the sport of boxing lives on today.  His fighting style is studied and emulated by current fighters of all weight classes.  Former Heavyweight Champion “Iron” Mike Tyson has said many times that his ultimate boxing hero – and the fighter that he tried most to emulate – is Jack Dempsey.

What greater compliment can you get?

NDN All-Star #6 Jack Dempsey (Cherokee) is certainly deserving of a spot on the NDN All-Stars roster.

Suggested reading:

#ndnallstars #jackdempsey #cherokee #boxing #heavyweight #champion

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.
Thank you for your support!

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Cherokee Football NDN All-Star Profile

NDN All-Star #2 – Sonny Sixkiller (Cherokee)

As a huge football fan AND a huge University of Washington Huskies fan, my #2 draft choice for my NDN All-Stars team was pretty easy – the legendary UW quarterback Sonny Sixkiller!

Sonny Sixkiller was one of the first Native American athletes that I knew of or about as a kid.  While my dad wasn’t a huge football fan back in the day, he did make sure that I learned who that Indian kid was that was throwing the football all over the place on tv…

In the early 1970s, Sonny was the face of college football and led the nation in passing!  His winning personality and bright smile made for great publicity and photo ops!  Sports Illustrated featured Sixkiller on their cover, with an article that – looking back thru today’s lens – is almost laughable in places in its attempt to be “cute” using stereotypical “Indian” terms.

Sixkiller was such a sensation that there was even a SONG written about him!  Check it out!

After college, Sonny played professional football in the World Football League for the Philadelphia Bell and The Hawaiians.  After the WFL folded, Sixkiller had a tryout with the San Diego Chargers but then hung up his cleats and moved on to other pursuits.

You may recognize Sonny from his role in the 1974 football movie “The Longest Yard” alongside Burt Reynolds.

If you follow Washington Husky football these days, you are sure to see Sixkiller on tv, or hear him on the radio talking about his beloved Huskies…

Sonny Sixkiller – #2 on the list, and #1 in our hearts!

#ndnallstars #sonnysixkiller #huskies #football #cherokee #quarterback

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.
Thank you for your support!