Given some of the other answers, it appears that you weren't alone.

I, for one, didn't realize that Dr. King had played football.

I figured that it was a fitting puzzle this week, and would have finished with a clue that he has a national holiday (in the US) in his honor.

An interesting story indirectly involving MLK you might enjoy (or not):

I had already lived, worked and paid taxes in the USA for 10 years (as a resident alien) before applying to become a citizen. To take the test, I had to learn about our constitution, the justice system, important historical events, names and dates of all the presidents, etc. It took quite a bit of studying, because I actually had to memorize everything ... not answer multiple choice questions like they do today.

Anyway, on the day of my test, I got off the subway in downtown NYC, and was confronted with a 5-person wide line of people stretching for more than two blocks! It turned out that this was the day President Reagan had declared amnesty for all illegal immigrants. Thousand of people of all nationalities were waiting in line to become citizens.

Since I had a bona fide appointment to take my test, I shoved my way through this mass of humanity, and forced my way to the front of the line. I explained my situation to a guard at the main entrance of the building. But he didn't believe me … even though I showed him a letter confirming my appointment! He told me to get to the back of the line.

Now panicking, I didn't know what to do. If I didn't show up as scheduled, they would automatically disqualify me! So I walked around the block, and to my relief found a small side door where there was no line. There, a more understanding guard looked at my letter and let me in.

During the test, a question came up which I didn't know the answer to. The agent asked me, "This year a new national holiday was introduced. What is the holiday?" I really didn't know. But when she told me, I thought for sure they would flunk me. It was Martin Luther King Day. Because of my South African roots, I thought, "I've flunked the test, because they'll hold that against me."

But thankfully, that did not happen, because the rest of my answers to their questions had all been correct. And a few months later I was accepted and sworn in.

That's a wonderful story, Arthur!

While we're waiting for Joseph to return, let's try this:

1. I was born in New York to Polish and Ukrainian parents.
2. As a boy I was bullied and teased by classmates.
3. At age 14 I became a poolside entertainer.

Gee Arthur... That could easily be so many people.

I'll go with Soupy Sales

Johnny Weissmuller

Jerry Lewis

None of the above.

4. I was taught to play the drums by a famous drummer.

Zack Starkey? (Can't be, wrong enthnicity and wrong birth place)

Johnny Thompson

Not Ringo's son or The Great Thomsoni.

5. I was drafted into the US Army in 1944.

Gene Krupa

Cab Calloway

6. I diffused land mines in Nazi Germany, and after the war, organized shows for captured Germans and American forces.

7. After the war, I played drums and piano at resorts and nightclubs.

Danny Kaye?

Not Danny, but it's a good guess!

8. Eventually I worked my way into doing stand-up comedy.

Bob Hope

Buddy Hackett?

Alan King