It has become a truism, bordering on cliché, among sports pundits that there has been a decline in the general character of the modern professional athlete. The reasons for this are constantly debated, ranging from an overall decline in public civility to the effect of increased media coverage. While few of us would want our every action exposed to public scrutiny in excruciating detail, occasionally there are those athletes whose lives, both personal and professional, can be seen as examples of decency and commitment to excellence. Max Schmeling was one of those men.
In an age when boxing is not really a major sport anymore in the same way as football or baseball, it is difficult for many people to understand that until recently the heavyweight champion was the most well-known sports figure in the world. From 1930 to 1932, that man was Max Schmeling. In some ways, his reign was not particularly distinguished. He became the only man to win the crown on a low blow, made one successful defense, then lost the title on a controversial split decision. Schmeling's real place in boxing history was secured by two fights with Joe Louis. The first was the first loss for Louis, who was seen at the time as virtually unbeatable and unquestionably the future champion. That time proved those assumptions largely correct makes Schmeling's win all the more impressive. The second bout, however, would transcend the sport entirely. Largely lost, or ignored, at that time, were the multiple ironies: Louis being portrayed as the symbol of freedom and equality in a country in which blacks were second class citizens at best, and Schmeling being seen as the symbol of Nazi notions of racial supremacy and intolerance when he was never a member of the Nazi party.
In 1933, Schmeling married the actress Anny Ondra, a celebrity marriage that lasted until his wife's death in 1987. During the infamous Kristallnacht in 1938, Schmeling harbored two Jewish children in his Berlin hotel room, an act which could have had dire consequences for him, and one which was not made public until 1989. Though he certainly made compromises with the Nazi regime, he is no different in this respect than many other Germans who loved their country if not the policies of its government. Max Schmeling may not have been a flawless hero, but his was a life certainly worthy of respect, perhaps even a little admiration.
