Marshall Walter Taylor, also known as “Major” Taylor, was the first black American world champion in any sport.
On November 26, 1878, Major Taylor was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Growing up, he worked for a wealthy white family and became close friends with their son, named Daniel. He started living with the family, where he got a semi-formal education and received his first bicycle.
After he got his first bicycle, he rode it a lot and soon began learning tricks and performing cycling stunts outside a store for attention. While riding his bike, he wore a military-style uniform while doing stunt riding, and that’s where we got the nickname “Major” from.
All that practicing definitely paid off. At the age of 18, he had his first race, and others started recognizing him because of his incredible sprinting speed, calm personality, and discipline, both mentally and spiritually. With all of this fame coming his way, he stood very firm on his faith and refused to race on Sundays because he believed that day belonged to God.
Even though Major was one of the best out there, he continued to face racism from fans, competitors, physical attacks during races, and being banned from certain competitions just because of the color of his skin. Some white competitors would also box him in to prevent him from winning, physically attack him, and try to knock him off his bike. But despite all of those challenges he had to endure, he finally won the world championship in 1899, making him the first black world champion in cycling and one of the highest-paid athletes of his time.
He traveled all across the world to compete, such as in France, Australia, United Kingdom. Going overseas was often a privilege for him. They would treat him better than in America because they were less racist. While being one of the best athletes during this time, he lived with very strict discipline.
He never drank nor smoked nor raced on Sundays, which sometimes would cause conflict because that’s when crowds were biggest at times. In 1909, at the age of 32, he retired because of how his body was physically and because of all the racism that was still happening. It was dangerous, and it made him emotionally exhausted. After retirement, he struggled financially because of poor investments of lack of long term support. Sadly, he died in 1932, and after a few years alot of people forgot about him. Until his legacy was restored. Indianapolis honors him still today as a pioneer, a barrier breaker, and one of the greatest cyclists of his era.
The Major Taylor Velodrom near 38th and Cold Spring is named in his honor.
