All American: The Power of Sports

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 – JANUARY 7, 2024

NATIONAL ARCHIVES MUSEUM

LAWRENCE F. O’BRIEN GALLERY

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

The exhibition showcased more than 75 items, including original records, artifacts, and photographs exploring the athletes who have shaped American identity. Highlights included original sports equipment and jerseys gifted by star athletes to Presidents, early 20th-century tobacco baseball cards, trophies, rare pictures, film footage, patents, and more!

Explore the Exhibit

Featured Programs

Courtesy of Honorary Committee Members

Black Players For Change

ALL AMERICAN
HONORARY COMMITTEE

Athletes

Sue Bird, Women’s National Basketball Association and Olympian
Aaron Brooks, National Football League
Pete Dawkins, Army Football-Heisman Trophy Winner
Dr. Nikki Franke, Temple University Fencing Head Coach and Olympian
Raymon Gaddis, Major League Soccer
Ken Griffey Jr., Major League Baseball
Harlem Globetrotters
Desmond Howard, National Football League and ESPN College Football Analyst
Billie Jean King, International Tennis Hall of Fame and Women’s Rights Leader
Tom McMillen, National Basketball Association and Olympian; Former Member of Congress
Dikembe Mutombo, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Global Ambassador
Cal Ripken Jr., Major League Baseball
Ozzie Smith, Major League Baseball
Dave Winfield, Major League Baseball

Coaches and Notable Figures

Dr. Kimberly Clay, Play Like a Girl
Marsha Cooke, ESPN
Bob Costas, Emmy Award-Winning Sportscaster
John L. Doleva, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
David Falk, American Sports Agent
Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the National Football League
Michele Kang, Owner, Washington Spirit
Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Mark D. Lerner, Managing Principal Owner & Vice Chairman, Washington
Nationals Baseball Club
Rev. Ray Mackey, Chairman of The Biz Mackey Family Foundation, (BMFF) Representing Negro League Giant and National Baseball Hall of Fame Catcher James Raleigh ‘Biz’ Mackey
Wayne Moss, National Council of Youth Sports
Josh Rawitch, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Marc Riccio, USA Lacrosse
Bob Ryan, American Sportswriter
Max Siegel, USA Track & Field
Adam Silver, Commissioner of the National Basketball Association
Anita Thorpe, Granddaughter of Jim Thorpe; Honorary Board Member
of Bright Path Strong and Vice Chairman of Sac and Fox Gaming Commission
Dr. Jen Welter, First Female National Football League Coach

Government

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
U.S. Senator Tim Scott
U.S. Representative Ron Kind, WI-03
U.S. Representative Dutch Ruppersberger, MD-02
U.S. Representative Jim Himes, CT-04
U.S. Representative John Garamendi, CA-03
U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, CA-02
U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, CA-15
U.S. Representative Roger Williams, TX-25
U.S. Representative Alex Mooney, WV-02
U.S. Representative Charlie Crist, FL-13
Former Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater
Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel