His initials were JCO. So when he went to Ohio, his teacher asked hi name and he said "JC". So, with his southern accent, it sounded like Jesse.
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∙ 14y agoJesse Owens' given name is James Cleveland Owens.
James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens
James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens
James Cleveland Owens
James Cleveland Owens.
James Cleveland Owens.
James Cleveland Owens.
James Cleveland Owens. The Jesse apparently came about as a mishearing of JCJames Cleveland Owens.