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How Did Jackie Robinson Break The Color Barrier

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Jackie Robinson is most well known for breaking the color barrier in baseball. His number 42 is one of the most historically famous numbers for the all the people of color who are able to succeed and do great things because of the struggles he went through to open the door for others. But what is not always was is talked about is his successes on college at the UCLA in California. While most people know the great Jim Thorpe as one of the most overall great athletes throughout history, Jackie Robinson was also a great multi-sport athlete. Jackie was born in Cairo, Georgia on January 31, 1919 to a single mother with four older siblings. His brother Mack won the silver medal in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games behind Jessie Owens, but Jackie made …show more content…

One of the sports Jackie Robinson excelled in was football despite being only 135 pounds. When he attended Pasadena Junior college he played quarterback, safety and some running back while also returning punts. In 1938 Robinson put up huge numbers rushing for 1,093 yards. Through the season he accounted for 17 touchdowns and 131 of the teams 369 points on their way to conference and state championships. These statistics allowed him to be named a junior college All-American. He later went on in 1939 to play on the UCLA Bruins football team. At the time very few Division I football programs across the country had a black player on their team if any. Robinson was one of four black players to be on UCLA’s football team which was very different. In the years 1939 and 1940 Robinson lead the nation in punt return average while his career average of 18.8 yards per return is fourth all time in NCAA history. He not only could return punts but while being used as mostly a decoy at running back averaged 11.4 yards per carry in 1939. In 1940 Robinson was second in the conference in total offense and set a NCAA record for average punt return yards at 21yards …show more content…

Not just breaking the color barrier in profession baseball was the only thing he did but Robinson put up impressive numbers throughout his Hall of Fame career. Not only did he do well as a professional player but he also excelled while in college. In just his first season at Pasadena junior college Robinson played shortstop while having a batting average of .417 and stealing 25 bases in 24 games. In his only season on the UCLA baseball team he batted only .097. Legend said that Robinson would compete in the broad jump while waiting to bat. Despite not playing baseball for 5 years Robinson continued his baseball career when he went on to play in the Negro Leagues. Jackie Robinson played only one season in the Negro League in 1945. He wanted some professional experience and joined the Kansas City Monarchs. In just one season there he had a batting average of

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