Jackie Robinson: The Most Influential Sports Athlete

Born into a society of racial discrimination, Jack Roosevelt Robinson, known as Jackie Robinson, became an inspiring African American who stood up to racial hate and became the first black man to play major league baseball outside of a segregated black league (Biography.com).

Jackie Robinson broke the baseball color line and became the first African American to play on a major sports team.Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 and went to college at UCLA after high school. He married Rachel Robinson in 1946 and had three children. Robinson died on October 24, 1972 with great accomplishments.Jackie Robinson may be the most important figure in America's history for being the first African American to join the major leagues in baseball, for breaking the color barrier in the sport, and for changing baseball for everyone.

Not just in sports, but in the Civil Rights Movement as a whole. During Jackie’s prime, “people began to view him as a spokesman for other African-Americans. He was an outspoken activist for African-Americans’ rights. He participated in many protests for fair wages and workers’ rights.” (Santella) Jackie has been an inspiration to all blacks around the world, for his determination even when times were tough, always standing up for his rights. As said in a past article, “Jackie had a huge part to play in how Americans thought about racial integration.” (Novak) He made Americans realize that African Americans could play with whites in the big leagues and be able to deal with the controversy that comes with it. Some may think otherwise, but Jackie Robinson is a role model for millions of people around the

The people who were against segregation and promoted civil rights helped to accomplish what we call today, an integrated society. During the Civil Rights Revolution, there were many prominent figures such as Jackie Robinson, the first major league baseball player who influenced the court’s decision to integrate society. Not only did Jackie Robinson play major league baseball, but he also ran track, played basketball and football. He played these college sports at UCLA, USC and Pasadena Junior College, which are predominately white colleges.

Jackie Robinson is known to be one of the most influential people in baseball and in society. He eternally changed the aspect of American history. It was unusual to have a colored person be treated equally as a white person during the time of the 1900s. He was born in Cairo, Georgia in 1919 and later moved to Pasadena, California to pursue a better life. He came from a poor family of sharecroppers in the South and was the youngest of five. Robinson’s older brother Matthew Robinson was the person who inspired Jackie to pursue his talents and love for sports. Matthew won a silver medal in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games just behind Jesse Owens. Jackie did it all, he excelled in all types of sports it came natural to him. He attended Pasadena Junior College then later continued his education at UCLA where he became the first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports: basketball, football, track, and baseball.

Jackie Robinson, The man who fought to play baseball with the greatest, to be known as one of the greatest, to actually be heard and seen by those who thought what he did was of the impossible. Through the eyes of many he was just another African-American. But to those who could see through the colour, could see a gift.

As Jackie Robinson once said “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives”. There is no doubt that Jackie Robinson has been one of most impactful baseball players to ever play the sport. For reasons such as pushing himself to reach his goals, facing many hardships, and being the first African American to play in the MLB, he has shown perseverance and been a role model to everyone.

Jackie Robinson not only made impacts on the field that were monumental, but he made impacts off the field that were equally as important. Jackie helped presidents get elected, get kids off the streets and into the most prestigious schools there is, and most importantly he broke the black color barrier in baseball. Jackie Robinson is one of the most influential people to ever live, he did things that people would dream about, he stood up for what he believed.

Jackie Robinson fought to end segregation, and the rights for all people through many different ways. The most recognized and probably the biggest thing he did was transform all sports through being the first African American to play professional baseball. This did not only stop discrimination in baseball but this helped stop discrimination in all sports together. After his impact on baseball he wasn't done there, he join the National Association for the advancement of colored people. He became the chairman for the freedom fund and later raised over a million dollars. Jackie Robinson devoted his life to the civil rights movement by breaking the color barrier, transforming the face of sports, his work as an activist to stop segregation, and make the country the best it could be.

Jackie Robinson ended the 60 years, of not having African Americans in the major league. When he ran out for the first time in 1947, he was made fun of but as the year went on he won the the Rookie of the Year Award. As he started to keep playing and playing good more and more Dodger fans started to like but not many other people liked him. Jackie came from the Negro League and people didn't like that because the Major Leagues were segregated. Jackie won the fans over by playing well because the team was winning then and the fans like winning.

Jackie Robinson truly has left an impact as the man who broke the color barrier. Withstanding all hate that was thrown at him and doing it while keeping a smile on his face and inspiring others. Jackie Robinson is a hero of change because he was able to break the pro sports color barrier by signing the contract putting himself of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Because of people like Jackie Robinson our world has become a place where we don’t judge people by the color of their skin but by their personality and the way we

“A life is not important except for the impact it has on other lives” –Jackie Robinson

Sports Magazine featured Robinson as the most significant athlete of that quarter century (Schutz 157). Many things can be learned from the awe-inspiring man that Jackie Robinson was. There is the obvious lesson to never give up and to follow your dreams, no matter what obstacles are placed in front of you . The deeper lesson, however, is to fight hard for what you believe in and never accept intolerance of any kind, be it race or religion. At first, Jackie was just another black man who was subject to racism; but, he fought that with every ounce of energy he had. Throughout the course of his life and baseball career, he overcame many obstacles, unthinkable to others, and went on to not only gain the respect of blacks and whites; he went on to become one of the greatest and most admired baseball players of all time. In an interview after a game, Branch Rickey was quoted saying “He’s the indispensable man that can carry a team by himself.” Jackie will be remembered for generations to come as a role model to

Jackie Robinson is most known for his outstanding achievements in baseball, but what most people don't know is his achievements in all other aspects of life. Jackie was harassed, picked on, and beaten up for playing the game he loved; Robinson did what he did because he believed that life was bigger than the color of your skin or the number on your back. As an exceptional athlete and an honorable man Jackie Robinson changed the way not only sports are seen in the world but how life is seen in the

Robinson has been one of the most influential people throughout history, Jackie has had a huge impact on today's world because of the numerous ideas and actions he has done.