Celebrating Black History Month: The Moments That Make Us with Lennox Lewis and Others

The Moments That Make Us: Celebrating Black History Month with Sky Sports

As part of the celebration for Black History Month, Sky Sports News has launched a captivating new series titled The Moments That Make Us. This initiative features renowned athletes and sports personalities reflecting on significant challenges they have faced throughout their careers.

Featured Athletes and Their Journey

Among the many stars participating are former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Callum Hudson-Odoi. In the inaugural episode, Nottingham Forest winger Hudson-Odoi shares his earliest sporting memories, his most inspiring moments, and the black athlete who has had the greatest influence on his career.

Hudson-Odoi's Reflections

The 23-year-old athlete recounts formative experiences, including his initial matches in local cages and the perseverance he demonstrated while overcoming a challenging Achilles injury. These experiences have shaped his identity both on and off the pitch.

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Viewers can also watch interviews with other athletes, such as Clinton Morrison, who discusses how the wisdom of his mother and inspirations from Ian Wright have propelled his career in football. Morrison expresses admiration for Wright's joyful playing style and shares that both their journeys mirror one another.

Grassroots Football Influence

Additionally, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, a full-back from Preston, reveals how his experiences in grassroots football and the legacy of Didier Drogba have contributed hugely to his development as a player.

Upcoming Features

Later this week, fans can look forward to hearing from Andrew Omobamidele who reflects on his challenges during academy trials and the elation of making his international debut for Ireland—an accomplishment he describes as the highlight of his career.

Sky Sports Commitment to Black History Month

According to Jonathan Licht, Managing Director of Sky Sports, the goal this month is not just to highlight achievements, but to foster ongoing conversations about diversity and inclusion in sports. He emphasizes the need to challenge existing biases and to appreciate the integral contributions of Black individuals to sports and society.

Representation of Black Coaches

Despite Black players making up 44% of Premier League footballers and 34% in the EFL, the coaching landscape tells a different story. Only 4% of coaches in the top four divisions are Black. In a special documentary titled Against the Odds, former Wigan Athletic manager Kolo Toure discusses the challenges faced by Black managers in the sport.

The Need for Time and Opportunities

Toure emphasizes the importance of time and support in making changes to coaching styles: "I needed time to recruit and transition players". He stresses that success as a player does not automatically translate to success as a manager, but with the right opportunities, progress is achievable.

Concluding Thoughts

Sky Sports’ The Moments That Make Us not only celebrates significant achievements but also acknowledges the hurdles still faced by Black athletes and coaches in the sports industry. The series invites viewers to reflect, learn, and engage in meaningful conversations about inclusivity and representation in sports.

Stay Tuned

Don’t miss the chance to explore these inspiring stories and witness the powerful moments that shape the sports world. Ensure you follow Sky Sports for latest updates and episodes throughout Black History Month.