Quote:
Originally Posted by DAMN iNATOR
Today's Wrestling Birthdays
Sputnuk Monroe (87)
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Sputnik is no longer around to celebrate his birthday btw. He died back in 2006 at age 77.
those who don't know the name Sputnik Monroe or his story should know it.
He really helped put an end to segregation in Memphis and the south for sporting events.
He noticed that the black fans would sit up at the Ellis Auditorium in what they called the Crow's Nest. It would be full and the white section would have plenty of seats left.
He told the promoter that unless he let his black friends sit where they wanted he was gonna be leaving.
the promoter eventually got rid of the segregation at Ellis Auditorium allowing blacks to sit wherever.
Sputnik may have been hated by whites but was a hero to black fans.
He would look up at the crows nest and give the black power symbol.
Sputnik was also arrested various times for being at what they called "Negro Cafes". It was actually illegal for a white man to be at a black establishment.
He was the first white man to be defended by a black lawyer in Memphis.
Cops gave up trying to ticket him after awhile. He said I served my country in world war 2 I should be able to drink wherever I want too.
