Jackie Robinson Essay

Jackie Robinson is a hero to all. “He spent his entire life fighting for equality. He won some battles and lost others.” (Source 2) Although he lost his battle to health he left behind a profound legacy that today is still cherished and valued. He made a difference in Major League Baseball, which will never be forgotten. His choices and courage paved the way for almost every African American in major league sports today. He is a person who is respected in many ways. The people admired his courage and humility. After he retired from baseball, he was awarded “High Honors from civil and human rights organizations, religious groups and the United States government.” (Source 2) Jackie attended Pasadena City College. He earned average grades in school but excelled at sports. He beat his brother Mack in the broad jump. He was voted MVP on the football squad. Then he was named the greatest base runner on a junior college team by sportswriters. Later he attended UCLA and led the Pacific Coast Conference for basketball. He was the National Champion in Long Jump and an all American Halfback in Football. After that he was the varsity shortstop in baseball. Jackie became the first athlete at UCLA to Letter in four sports in a single year. When Jackie was a senior he met his future wife, Rachel Isum. His first professional baseball team was the Kansas City Monarchs for the Negro League. As he was playing for the Monarchs, the president and General Manager Branch Rickey sent out scouts to the Negro Leagues to look for a man to desegregate the Major Leagues. When the scouts came back that had a list of potential talent but they all talked about Jack Roosevelt Robinson. Ricky listened and did his own research before he brought in Jackie for a face to face meeting. This historic meeting took place in his Brooklyn office on August 28, 1945. Ricky described the stressful conditions he would face in the Majors. He said that he wanted a player that has the guts NOT to fight back. Jackie agreed to fight back to be a better player. Two months later he signed with the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers farm team. After, he helped the Royals win the pennant the Dodgers signed Jackie to the Dodgers on April 10, 1947. After Jackie retired from the Majors he and Rachel moved to Stamford, Connecticut where they built a house and raised their three children: David, Jackie Jr. and Sharon. He raised money for the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). He joined protests, marches, played golf, wrote books and newspaper columns. He also hosted radio shows and supported political candidates. And like any other Father cut the lawn. He loved his family and his legacy lives on. There are lots of things that happen in our nation’s history and they stay with us which makes them history. Jackie Robinson’s courage, strength and ability to make change are one of them. Jackie’s story is not only about baseball but about a movement in America and our acceptance of African Americans playing sports and being a part of society. Many people who knew Jackie personally had a deep admiration for him; he was loved. He wanted everyone to have a fair chance at life, no matter what color or religion you were. He wanted fairness and acceptance. He cared about America and showed that by joining the Army. He once said that, “A life is not important except for the impact it has on other lives.” (Source 2)