Born May 9, 1939, Laurel, Miss.

Like fellow Hall of Famer Lee Calhoun, Ralph Boston was born in Laurel, Miss., and like Calhoun he became a world record holder and Olympic champion. While attending Tennessee State University in 1960, he seemed to come out of nowhere to win the 1960 national collegiate long jump title. Two months later, he broke Jesse Owens' long-standing world mark with a 26-11 1/4 effort, then won the gold medal at the Olympic Games.

He was silver medalist at the 1964 Olympics and was third in 1968 to collect a set of Olympic medals. In all, he set or tied the world record five times and his last mark of 27-5 was the one Bob Beamon broke at Mexico City. Also was an excellent high jumper and high hurdler, Boston won six-straight National AAU long jump championships outdoors and also had an indoor title. He retired after the 1968 Olympics and entered college administration, also doing some television commentating. Elected to U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1985.