Never knew this and, frankly, never even thought of it.

[melm00se]

https://sports.yahoo.com/the-forgotten-man-peter-norman-the-third-man-atop-the-podium-with-tommie-smith-and-john-carlos-054359681.html

The blank stares used to gnaw at Matt Norman.

The Australian filmmaker struggled to comprehend why so few of his countrymen knew his uncle’s name or were aware of his acts of heroism.

To Matt, his uncle was the forgotten figure from one of the most iconic sports photos ever taken. Peter Norman is the man sharing the medal podium with Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics when they raised their black-gloved fists to the sky to protest racial inequality as "The Star-Spangled Banner" played.

[UpInArms]

1. More from this poignant story:

As Smith and Carlos evolved from pariahs to heroes over the past few decades, they carried Norman’s legacy along with them. Carlos, in particular, mentioned Norman at every opportunity, praising his conviction and courage and insisting that the Aussie was the right man to share the podium with him and Smith.

In an interview with the Library of Congress, Smith said “God put Peter Norman there to make this thing solidify. We’ve got 50 million white people running around on the planet. Out of 50 million white people, I don’t think we’d have found two to match Peter Norman.”

The shared experience in Mexico City bonded Norman and his American counterparts for life. Smith and Carlos may have bickered over their recollections of the race and its aftermath, but their respect for Norman endured and eventually blossomed into friendship.

When San Jose State honored Smith and Carlos with a bronze statue in 2005, the two former Spartans were disappointed to learn that Norman’s spot on the podium would be empty. Carlos only agreed to allow the project to go on after Norman gave his blessing.

“I didn’t do what you guys did,” Norman told Carlos. “I supported what you guys did.

“I think it’s only fair and apropos that I not have my statue there, so when people come from around the world to come to that school, they can take their picture standing in my spot and supporting what you guys did.”

[crickets]

3. Wow, what a generous response. Peter Norman had a big heart. nt

[Kid Berwyn]

2. Great OP and thread!

Bookmarked for history, as this part of the story got missed by NBCIABCBSFauxNoiseNutworks.