Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. He moved to Pasadena where he went to high school, and junior college. He excelled in track, football, baseball, and basketball. He would then go on to compete in these sports at UCLA. After college, Jackie enlisted in the Army and served in Fort Riley, Kansas.(Robinson, 13). At the army base Jackie experienced racism, “ Finally, taking for granted that I was white, he said, ‘ Lieutenant,let me put it this way. How would you like to have your wife sitting next to a ni**er?” (Robinson, 14). He looked for ways to support his family after the Army and decided to play in the Negro League for the Kansas City Monarchs. Branch Rickey discovered his talent and signed Jackie to a baseball
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He experienced more in that decade than most people go through in their life. He, along with his family, were constantly receiving threats that said that they were going to end up dead. Most hotels wouldn’t let Jackie stay with his teammates because he had a different skin color. Most restaurants wouldn’t let the Dodgers dine in there because Jackie was an African American. Some teams refused to play the Dodgers because Jackie was on the team. Despite all of these things going against him Jackie never fought back, he never tried to disobey the rules, and he never talked …show more content…
Jackie will always be known as one of the most influential figure, not only in baseball but in the context of world history. While what Jackie dealt with was awful, the way he conducted himself throughout the adversity could only be replicated by few people. Here are two quotes about the impact Jackie made on baseball, and America, “‘He led America by example. He reminded our people of what was right and he reminded them of what was wrong. I think it can be safely said today that Jackie Robinson made the United States a better nation.’ - American League President Gene Budig stated. ” “‘He struck a mighty blow for equality, freedom and the American way of life. Jackie Robinson was a good citizen, a great man, and a true American champion.’ President Ronald Reagan” said as he summed up Jackie’s legacy. Jackie was the most influential competitor in sports history. Every day, he had to compete on and off of the baseball diamond, in his personal life and his professional
He experienced more in that decade than most people go through in their life. He, along with his family, were constantly receiving threats that said that they were going to end up dead. Most hotels wouldn’t let Jackie stay with his teammates because he had a different skin color. Most restaurants wouldn’t let the Dodgers dine in there because Jackie was an African American. Some teams refused to play the Dodgers because Jackie was on the team. Despite all of these things going against him Jackie never fought back, he never tried to disobey the rules, and he never talked …show more content…
Jackie will always be known as one of the most influential figure, not only in baseball but in the context of world history. While what Jackie dealt with was awful, the way he conducted himself throughout the adversity could only be replicated by few people. Here are two quotes about the impact Jackie made on baseball, and America, “‘He led America by example. He reminded our people of what was right and he reminded them of what was wrong. I think it can be safely said today that Jackie Robinson made the United States a better nation.’ - American League President Gene Budig stated. ” “‘He struck a mighty blow for equality, freedom and the American way of life. Jackie Robinson was a good citizen, a great man, and a true American champion.’ President Ronald Reagan” said as he summed up Jackie’s legacy. Jackie was the most influential competitor in sports history. Every day, he had to compete on and off of the baseball diamond, in his personal life and his professional