On this day in sports history, two tragic events occurred that shocked the world of basketball and boxing respectively.
On June 19, 1986, Len Bias, the second pick in the NBA draft two days before, died of a heart attack caused by cocaine intoxication. He was 22 years old and had just signed a contract with the Boston Celtics, who had won the NBA championship that year. Bias was considered one of the most talented players of his generation and had a bright future ahead of him. His death sent shockwaves across the sports community and raised awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
On June 19, 1936, Max Schmeling, a German heavyweight boxer, knocked out previously unbeaten Joe Louis in the 12th round of their fight at Yankee Stadium. Schmeling’s victory set off a propaganda war between the Nazi regime and the United States, as both sides claimed him as their representative. Schmeling was not a Nazi sympathizer, but he was used by Adolf Hitler as a symbol of Aryan supremacy. Louis, on the other hand, was a hero for African Americans and a symbol of democracy. The two fighters met again in 1938, when Louis avenged his loss by knocking out Schmeling in the first round.
Both Bias and Schmeling are remembered today as legends of their sports, but also as victims of circumstances beyond their control. Their stories remind us of the fragility of life and the power of sports to transcend politics and prejudice.
