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The late Sputnik Monroe has been named to the 2025 Memphis Sports Hall of Fame, it was announced today.
The induction ceremony will be held at the Renasant Convention Center on Tuesday, October 21.
The Memphis Sports Hall of Fame’s aim is to "celebrate the area’s top athletes, coaches, and contributors while also motivating and teaching new athletes about Memphis’ rich sporting history." An 18 member advisory board chooses the honorees.
Monroe’s legacy lies not only in his success as a flamboyant and charismatic professional wrestler, but also in his role as a quiet but powerful agent of social change. In the 1950s and 1960s, at the height of segregation in the American South, Monroe deliberately defied racial norms by socializing with Black fans, insisting on their right to sit in the same sections as white fans, and leveraging his popularity to desegregate Memphis wrestling arenas. For much more on his legacy, click here.
Monroe, who passed away in 2006 at 77 years ago, will be the second professional wrestler honored by the Hall. Jerry Lawler was named to the 2022 Hall of Fame Class.
Thanks to Mark James!
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