The 2024 Summer Olympics have finally arrived, and sports fans all over the globe are tuning in to enjoy all the fast-paced action. A global celebration of athletic excellence, the Olympics offer the world a special time to come together, connect, and convene over the things that bring us together. While the Olympics feature athletes from all over the world, one can’t help but notice New Jersey’s prominent position on the Olympic stage. In fact, our small but mighty state has over 20 athletes participating on Team USA! It’s no secret that athletic greatness has a home in the Garden State, and Trenton is no exception to this tremendous trend. Today, in honor of the Olympics and the remarkable perseverance of the athletic spirit, let’s take a look back at some of Trenton’s top athletes both past and present.
We would be remiss if we did not begin this list with a nod to one of today’s top athletes, Trenton’s own Athing Mu. From rocking the airwaves in Visa’s newest ad campaign to topping the podium in races all across the globe, there’s no doubt this native Trentonian is making her community proud. Coming from humble beginnings, Athing’s family immigrated from South Sudan to right here in Trenton, NJ, where she would ultimately begin her running career. Mu made her Olympic debut in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she became the youngest woman in history to win Olympic and world titles in an individual track and field event. During the 2020 Olympics, Mu also broke a world record in the women’s 800m, ultimately empowering her to bring home the gold. While Ms. Mu unfortunately was not participating in the 2024 Olympics, we’re certain that this is only the beginning for this up and coming star.
Another Trenton athlete who’s taking the world of sports by storm is Ji’Ayir Brown, an NFL safety who currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers. From the fields of Trenton Central High School to the biggest stage in football, Ji’Ayir remains an inspiration for his entire community. Prior to his 2023 debut in the NFL, Mr. Brown was a member of the Penn State Football Team, which boasts one of the nation’s most elite collegiate football programs. Brown later went on to be the 87th overall pick in the NFL draft, a further demonstration of this young player’s athletic prowess. The beginning of the NFL season is just a few short weeks away, so the next time you tune in for a Sunday full of football, be sure to keep an eye out for this local legend.
The last athlete we’ll be highlighting today is Al Downing, a pitcher for the New York Yankees. Downing was born on June 28, 1941 in the City of Trenton, and would go on to begin his baseball career in our very city. Long before he ever made his Major League Baseball debut, Downing was a student of Trenton Central High School and began his baseball career as a member of the Police Athletic League (PAL). At just 20 years old, Downing was signed by the New York Yankees and would go on to make the MLB roster just a few months later. Throughout his baseball career, he would achieve a number of notable feats, including appearances in the World Series, as well as the 1967 All-Star team. While his career had many highlights, perhaps the most notable occurred in 1967 when, at the bottom of the ninth, he pitched an immaculate inning, meaning he struck out three batters with the minimum number of pitches needed. Making one of baseball’s best teams is no small feat, and it is always a point of pride to see Trentonians shining throughout the generations.
While we’ve only highlighted three athletes here today, there are countless other world-famous sportsmen whose beginnings were born right here in the City of Trenton. With each passing generation, greatness arises from within our streets, giving the Capital City a name on the global stage. As we continue to cheer on the members of Team USA and all the athletes who make our nation proud, let’s also take a moment to tip our hats to those who make Trenton proud each and every day.
