William "Willie" D. Davenport (June 8, 1943 – June 17, 2002) was an American sprint runner. He attended Howland High School and college at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He competed in the 110 m hurdles at the 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, winning a gold medal in 1968 and a bronze in 1976, and finishing fourth in 1972. In 1980 he took part in the Winter Olympics as a runner for the American bobsleigh team. Because of the boycott, and the quirk of participating in the Winter Olympics, he was the only U.S. track and field athlete to participate in the 1980 Olympics.Davenport took part in his first Olympics in 1964, but injured his thigh and was eliminated in the semifinals. In Mexico City in 1968, he reached the final and won: "From the first step, the gun, I knew I had won the race." In 1972 he finished fourth, and in his third consecutive Olympic 110 m hurdles final, in 1976, he won a bronze medal. At his last Olympics in 1980 he was a bobsleigh runner, ending up 12th in the four-man competition. Davenport's other achievements include five national championships in the 60 yard hurdles indoor event. By participating in the 1980 bobsleigh competition, he became the first African American to compete in the Winter Olympics for the USA.
Davenport was a member of the Southern Jaguars football team in college, and immediately departed the 1968 Olympics after winning the gold to join the team for the final games. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints as a wide receiver in the sixth round (138th overall) of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, but a misunderstanding about his college eligibility prompted the Saints to withdraw the selection. When it turned out he was allowed to play, the San Diego Chargers picked him in the 16th round (408th overall) but he and the team could not agree to a contract. The Saints drafted him again in 1970 in the 12th round (296th overall) as a defensive back, though he did not join them either.In 1985, Davenport competed at the Masters Outdoor World Championship in Rome.Davenport was a U.S. Army private at the time of his first Olympic participation, he was a Colonel in the United States Army National Guard at the time of his death. He died of a heart attack at age 59 at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on June 17, 2002. He was survived by daughter Tanya, sons Willie and Mark and fiancée Barbara Henry.In 1977 he was inducted into the Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame, and in 1982 into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
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Some of their strengths
Willie Davenport has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Confident, Intelligent, Passionate, Extroverted, Independent, and Achievement-oriented.
Charming and Quick-witted
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Willie Davenport is someone who is a charming, quick-witted, and energetic person who combines passion and intelligence with an ability to feel what others are feeling and to effectively communicate with them. A person who is known for being fun and creative.
Warm and Caring
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Willie Davenport well know them as someone who can be warm, caring, and compassionate, like a lamp or torch.
Organized and Achievement-oriented
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Willie Davenport as someone who is organized, goal-oriented, practical, and persevering.
Who is hardworking, intellectual, and easygoing, who loves higher education and learning and sharing ideas with others, and who loves healthy competition.
Assertive and Protective
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Willie Davenport is someone who is a somewhat private person who has a strong personality and ability to read other people.
They are also someone who is reflective, mysterious, and purposeful, who enjoys quiet and solo work, and who thrives in positions where there is no need to report to someone else.
Logical and Reasonable
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Willie Davenport tends to be someone who is understanding, logical, and reasonable. Who can be intellectual and intuitive, speak the truth at any cost, be witty and sociable, and live life to its fullest.
Some of Willie Davenport's challenges
While Willie Davenport has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Willie Davenport can be Hypocritical, Self-centered, Arrogant, Status-seeking, Rebellious, Emotionally Distant, and Callous.
Hypocritical and Self-centered
One of Willie Davenport's key challenges is that they are someone who can be perceived as hypocritical and self-centered.
Willie Davenport must also exercise caution as they can have difficulty dealing with responsibility, authority, or criticism.
Callous and Selfish
Willie Davenport is someone who can be standoffish, pessimistic, and ruthless, who can have difficulty concentrating and be impatient, can have difficulty discovering the keys to personal contentment, and who can have a tendency to overwork and hoard wealth and possessions.
Indecisive and Distracted
Finally, Willie Davenport also can have a hard time staying focused and can easily become restless.
