Jackie Robinson Research Paper

"You could make an argument that Jackie Robinson was the greatest athlete in American history. His ability as a basketball player, as a track star, as a baseball player, as a football player. Jackie Robinson could have been a star in every single one of those sports. Not just a good player, but a superstar.”- Howard Bryant (Jackie Robinson) Jackie Robinson, who was born in Cairo, Georgia in 1919, became part of a family that also became famous in sports. He then moved to California where he played baseball at high school, and then did the same at UCLA. Jackie Robinson then broke the color barrier of Major League Baseball in 1947. (“Jackie Robinson.” Biography.com) His early life and education, his success in baseball, and his support for African

Jackie Robinson's early life and education shows that he was destined to make history in the game of baseball from the start of his life. One of his brothers who became famous in sports was Mack Robinson. Mack was a famous track runner who set national college records at Pasadena Junior College, and won a silver medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. He also inspired Jackie to play sports in the first place. (“Jackie Robinson.” Biography.com) Jackie also became skillful in sports early, which helped him become better friends with the white kids at his school. Martha Winehorn explains how Jackie Robinson achieved this, "Jackie was proud of his mother, who would not allow the white neighbors to drive her away or frighten her or mistreat her kids. He learned from her to stand up for his rights. He learned to respect himself, demand respect from others, and never back down."(“ The Life of Jackie Robinson An American Legend.” Solipsis) From this quote, it seems that by the combination of being inspired by Matthew to play sports and becoming good friends with the white kids at his school helped Jackie realize the inequality of the United States at that time, and helped him realize that he has to

Before he started to play the game of baseball, Jackie Robinson fell in love with Rachel Robinson. Jackie said this to Rachel about their love, "Last night, my darling, I thought about our love and how wonderful it is. As long as I know your love is strong, I'll make it. Together we form a strong team, and I’m not afraid of the future at all." Jackie married Rachel on February 10, 1946, and for their honeymoon, Jackie invited his wife to spring training, who said it was terrible. Rachel then became pregnant, but decided not to tell Jackie so that he could focus on baseball. They named him Jackie Robinson Jr., and they had 2 other children after this as well. Jackie Robinson knew that he was going to play sports, but he did not know which one. This is a quote that he said that changed his view of life, “"All my life I had believed in payback, retaliation. The most luxurious possession, the richest treasure anyone has, is his personal dignity. I had a question, and it was the age-old one about whether or not to sell your birthright. Could I turn the other cheek? I didn't know how I would do it. Yet I knew that I must." Jackie Robinson eventually decided to play baseball, and he started playing with the Kansas City Monarchs, who are in the Negro Leagues. He made the team as a shortstop, and he played there for