The 10 Best Multiracial Athletes, Past and Present

In honor of the progress this country has made, putting a biracial man in the White House as the President of the United States, I've decided to compile a list of the best multiracial athletes witnessed in sport.

As we continue to take steps towards towards equality in the United States, I'd like to take a look at some of the guys who were able to successfully integrate themselves into the world of sports in a time where biracial couples were not accepted by many.

I'd also like to take a look at multiracial athletes who play in the present and who are about to enter the world of professional sports.

I'm not writing this to point out their differences, only to appreciate them for whatever struggles they may have dealt with to get to where they are and where they will be.

10. Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin seems to have a very bright future in the NBA if that's what he chooses to do. Regardless of his future, he was absolutely dominant in the NCAA this past year, earning AP Player of the Year honors.

Just another award to add to his collection, including:

McDonald's All-American (2007)
McDonald's All-American Dunk Contest Winner (2007)
Adolph Rupp Award (2009)
Oscar Robertson Trophy (2009)
Unanimous AP All American (2009)
Sports Illustrated Player of the Year (2009)
Sporting News Player of the Year (2009)
Athlon Sports Player of the Year (2009)
FoxSports.com Player of the Year (2009)
The Sporting News Player of the Year (2009)
Coaches' Big 12 Player of the Year (2009)
AP Big 12 Player of the Year

Griffin may become great and move up this list, but for now the youngster is at 10.

9. Hines Ward

Ward is of Korean and African descent.

He has become one of the greatest players for the greatest franchise ever in the NFL.

He's been one of the most dependable receivers in the league and is unanimously regarded as the best blocking receiver.

It takes a special kind of player at the wide receiver position to hone his blocking skills the way Hines has.

A two-time Super Bowl Champion, taking home MVP honors for one of them, the four-time Pro Bowler is on his way to being an all-time great.

8. Greg Louganis

Louganis is of Swedish and Samoan descent.

Louganis wasn't able to compete in the 1980 Olympics that he was favored to win in because of an American boycott, but he would compete in 1984 to win gold medals in the springboard and tower diving events. He would go on to defend both medals in 1988 despite suffering a concussion.

He was named ABC's Wide World of Sports "Athlete of the Year" in 1988.

7. Jarome Iginla

Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla's father is Nigerian and moved to Canada.

Jarome is an elite player in the NHL and has been for some time. He's compiled a number of award in his time in the NHL:

NHL All-Rookie Team 1997
First team All-Star 2002, 2008
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy 2002, 2004
Art Ross Trophy 2002
Lester B. Pearson Award 2002
ESPY Best NHL Player 2002, 2004
Second team All-Star 2004
King Clancy Memorial Trophy 2004
NHL Foundation Player Award 2004

6. Franco Harris

The second Steeler on this list, Harris was a Hall of Fame running back for Pittsburgh through the '70s.

Franco made nine consecutive Pro Bowls, starting with his rookie year in 1972. He's a four-time Super Bowl Champion, with one MVP.

Harris made the catch on one of the most memorable plays in NFL history, "The Immaculate Reception."

5. Tony Gonzalez

Gonzalez is of African-American, Jamaican, Native American, and Cape Verdean heritage.

Late in his career Tony Gonzalez is making a case to be the greatest tight end in NFL history.

He's already on his way to collecting every career record for tight ends, and doesn't show any signs of slowing down as he's made the last 10 Pro Bowls.

He's a six-time All-Pro selection and a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.

4. Derek Jeter

Jeter's father is African-American and his mother is of Irish/German descent.

Jeter is easily one of the most decorated players on this list.

On top of four World Series Championships, including one MVP, nine All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, Rookie of the Year, and a Babe Ruth award, Jeter has the fifth highest career batting average among active players.

3. Jason Kidd

Kidd has an African-American father and Irish-American mother.

He has established himself as one of the premiere point guards in basketball. Kidd has proven to be a triple-double threat each and every night that he steps on the court. He ranks third all time in triple-doubles behind two greats; Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson.

He has shown exceptional skill in rebounding from the guard position, helping him to over 100 triple-doubles. The nine-time All-Star was able to lead the New Jersey nets in many deep playoff runs.

2. Jim Thorpe

Thorpe was Native American Indian and European American.

One of the greatest athletes this world has ever seen. Period.

Thorpe excelled professionally at baseball, basketball, and most notably football, but also competed in the 1912 Olympics.

He competed in a revamped version of the ancient Greek pentathlon and would go on to take gold in both the pentathlon and decathlon. The events included long jump, javelin, 200 metres, discus throw, and the 1500 meters.

Thorpe is one of the big reasons I wanted to write this article. Thorpe was stripped of his medals because of a technicality regarding amateurism. Many believe that he was stripped purely because of his ethnicity.

Regardless, Thorpe was an unbelievable athlete.

There's a reason he's the first person you see walking in to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

1. Tiger Woods

Very few athletes ever dominate a sport as quickly as Tiger Woods has dominated golf.

Tiger is of African, Chinese, Native American, Thai, and Dutch descent.

In 1996 he won his first major, The Masters, becoming the youngest ever to do so. He's won 13 more majors since then.

He's on his way to grasping every record there is to be had in the world of golf, and it seems as if nothing can stop him.

After serious surgery to his weight-bearing knee, Woods returned and won in just his third tournament back.

You've all heard the numbers, and given that he is only 33 in a sport that lends well to longevity, it is baffling to think about what he might do.