Probably the biggest influence in Pender's life was to enlist in the US Army at the age of 17. He left his friends and it was also a way to escape the discrimination as a young Black person in the South. adidas cyber monday 2018 Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player adidas cyber monday 2018 The 1968 Olympic champion and war veteran Mel Pender talks about his Olympics pain and glory, a 21-year career in the US Army which includes the Bronze Star for fighting in Vietnam, the importance of listening to family and the lifelong battle against racial injustice. adidas cyber monday 2018 I give up! I have to make game predictions each week on the audio version of Inside the Huddle with Jeff Reinebold and our dubious choices gethighlighted on this very website every seven daysit's humiliating work! adidas cyber monday 2018