John Carlos attended San Jose State University and trained under legendary coach, Lloyd “Bud” Winter, becoming one of the best to ever run in “Speed City.”

In 1969, he tied world records in the 60-yd (5.9) and 100-yd (9.1) dashes. He also led SJSC to the 1969 NCAA team title with wins in the 100-yd, 220-yd, and 440-yd relay, for which he ran the anchor leg. 

He is perhaps best known for his performance at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games where he won the bronze in the 200 meters.  On the medal stand, he joined gold medalist and Spartan teammate Tommie Smith where each bowed his head and raised a gloved fist in a show of solidarity with the civil rights movement.  A photo from that moment remains one of the most iconic images in sports history.  He is a public speaker and authored “The John Carlos Story”.

John Carlos was inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.