NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Native American athletes featured this week include Henry Armstrong, Joe Louis, Billy Mills, Ethan Bear, Ross Anderson, Derrick Begay, Tommy Morrison, and Joe Hipp.

This week in NDN All-Stars history features memorable moments across boxing, hockey, rodeo, skiing, and distance running.

Henry Armstrong records several victories during the 1930s and 1940s as he continues building one of the greatest careers in boxing history. Joe Louis also adds another win in Detroit during his dominant championship era.

Moving into more recent decades, Ethan Bear scores the first goal of his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers, while Ross Anderson is inducted into the United States Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. Rodeo champion Derrick Begay captures the team roping title at RodeoHouston, and Billy Mills wins the famous Cinque Mulini cross-country race in Italy.

From historic boxing arenas to international sporting events, these moments show the lasting impact Native athletes have made across the world of sports.

Topics Covered

• Henry Armstrong wins multiple boxing bouts in the 1930s and 1940s

• Joe Louis defeats Abe Simon during his heavyweight championship era

• Ethan Bear scores the first NHL goal of his career

• Ross Anderson is inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame

• Derrick Begay wins the RodeoHouston team roping championship

• Tommy Morrison records a technical knockout victory in Tulsa

• Joe Hipp wins a ten-round heavyweight decision in Tacoma

• Billy Mills wins the Cinque Mulini cross-country race in Italy

SUPPORT NDN ALL-STARS

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to research and retell these stories.

If you would like to support the project directly, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.

NDN ALL-STARS BACKGROUND

Hey there—I'm Bill Black, and welcome to the NDN All-Stars Podcast. If this is your first time hearing about us, let me tell you what we’re all about.

This podcast is where Native sports history comes alive. Each episode shines a spotlight on the great Native American athletes you should know—past and present. From Hall of Famers to hometown heroes, we tell the stories of Native athletes who made their mark—on the field, on the court, and in history.

We keep it real. No sugar-coating. No museum talk. Just straight-up stories told with pride and purpose—because representation matters, and these All-Stars deserve to be remembered.

Some episodes are deep dives into a single athlete’s life. Others bring on guests—historians, authors, and sometimes the athletes themselves—to help connect the dots between culture, identity, and achievement.

Whether you’re Native, a sports fan, a history buff, or just curious, this podcast offers a new perspective on what greatness really looks like.

So if you're ready to learn, laugh, and maybe even get a little fired up, hit that follow button and join the team.

You can find more stories, merch, and updates at NDNAllStars.com.

And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube — just search for NDN All-Stars and you’ll find us.

NDN All-Stars – Promoting Great Native Athletes – Past & Present!