Who Invented The High Five?

This morning I came across and interesting fact.  I found out who is credited in creating the high five we are all known for giving.  It is no surprise that the high five started in sports because it is the sign congratulations between team members and coaches around the world.  The high five gesture even made its way into the work place and classrooms around the world.  Yup, it is that universal.

Today I found out that Glenn Burke, a major league baseball player, is credited in creating the high five.  Now, I am not saying that no one before Glenn Burke ever gave a high five.  All I am saying is that Glenn Burke is credited as the first person to slap hands with someone.  What is more interesting is that Glenn Burke was one of the first pro athletes to be open about being a homosexual.  Yup, a gay man is credited for inventing the high five.

Does the fact that a gay man is credited for inventing the high five have you second guessing slapping hands again? Leave a comment below.

Glenn Burke was a second season player for the Dodgers. One time late in the 1977 season, he was on plate in the batting order following Dusty Baker, who had just hit his 30th home run and was coming around to home plate. When Baker was passing past him, Burke lifted his hand, Baker did the same and their hands slapped. This was the very first high five on record!

Burke retired early in 1982 and was the first major league baseball player to openly declare his homosexuality. He is remembered by the gay community as a groundbreaking figure, who was 'athletic, clean cut, masculine. He was everything that we wanted to prove to the world that we could be."

via The High-Five was invented by a gay man! - Language - Dec 16, 2011 - OMG Facts.