Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson

An African-American that has inspired me throughout life is Jackie Robinson. The man made an impact in the sports world and also the real world. He is truly a great person to idolize and look up to. There are many events in his life that can show how great of a man he really was during his life. While attending UCLA, Robinson was an exceptional athlete that participated in baseball, football, basketball, and track. He was the first athlete ever to letter in all four sports at the university. During his senior year in college, he met his future wife, Rachel Isum. Due to Isum's and his mother's financial struggles, he decided to leave college and found a job as an assistant athletic director. By doing this great deed, it shows how great of a human being he actually was. He decided to put his loved ones first in life and put his own wants to the side. This may have been tough to do but he was courageous enough to do so. Robinson showed that he was not only athletic, but also humble and caring. Throughout my life, I've strived to be the same way by helping others in need and making sacrifices for my loved ones. During the weekends, I will give up my free time to spend time with my ill little cousin. He has liver cancer and even though I know I would probably enjoy being out and having fun with friends way more than babysitting a fourteen year old, he's like a brother to me and I will put him before any person on this earth no matter what. Another epic feat in Robinson's life was breaking the color barrier in baseball in 1947. While becoming the first black man to participate in the major leagues since the 1880s, he was a key part of bringing an end to the racial segregation that was a part of professional baseball, which had made all black players play in the Negro Leagues for 60 years. During his debut year with the Dodgers, there was tension in the Dodger clubhouse due to Robinson's race. Many Dodger players said that they would rather sit out a game rather than play beside Robinson. Opposing teams also gave Robinson a hard time by calling him a "nigger" and saying he should "go back to the cotton fields." During a game with the St. Louis Cardinals, he also received a 7 inch gash in his leg due to rough physical play. The man had a target on his back and he still fought through it all. This is the type of man everybody should idolize. He had a strong mind and no matter how bad people tried to bring him down, he still stuck with the game of baseball. If I even become half of the man Robinson was, I'd be one lucky guy. His courage, toughness, and persistence stand out more than anything and I'm trying my best to gain these same qualities while I'm living.

...