Jackie Robinson was a huge figure in MLB during the 1940s.
When the Brooklyn Dodgers brought him to the big leagues, he represented a symbol of hope and change for the Black community.
He had to endure a lot of psychological and physical pain just for the color of his skin, but he picked himself up, dusted himself off, and kept going.
He was playing for much more than a contract: he was playing for equality and civil rights.
He was playing to end racial discrimination.
Before his MLB career, which included a Rookie of the Year award, a World Series championship, a batting crown, and an MVP award, he was also a football star.
At John Muir High School, the Pasadena Junior College, and UCLA, he played several sports ranging from track, baseball, football, and basketball.
He could play quarterback and safety, but he was a very good running back, too.
“While Jackie Robinson is most known as breaking @MLB‘s color barrier, he was also one of the top college football players in the country. Here, we see him in action for @UCLAFootballwhere he was a star running back & an All-American,” the Pro Football Hall of Fame tweeted with a video of him in action.
While Jackie Robinson is most known as breaking @MLB‘s color barrier, he was also one of the top college football players in the country.
Here, we see him in action for @UCLAFootballwhere he was a star running back & an All-American.
🎥: @UCLAFTVArchive | #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/gHneicUVvi
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 22, 2023
He was deployed as a running back at UCLA, and wow, he had skills.
Robinson had burst, top speed, vision, and quickness, all necessary qualities for a successful running back.
Not bad for a young kid full of athleticism and dreams.
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