Born in Georgia in 1919, Jackie Robinson came into the world when small pox and the Spanish flu seemed to be most dominant in various regions. His family was a family of sharecroppers and his father deserted Jackie and the rest of his children. Jackie's mother raised them. Living in poverty, the gang life appealed to Robinson for a short period of time until a friend encouraged him to leave the petty-crime infested group.
Jackie's older brother was an Olympic athlete and Robinson had the athletic ability evident too from a young age forward. He found that he was talented in various team sports. In 1938, Robinson played for a junior college and soon found local fame when he earned the coveted "Most Valuable Player" award.
Jackie Robinson was a lieutenant in the United States Army in the early forties. An honorable discharge prevented him from active combat in World War II. His baseball career soon followed.
Jackie Robinson became the first African-American baseball player in the Major Leagues. He would later be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. During his career, he was the member of six teams that went to the World Series.
The awards that Robinson received during his career were numerous including countless nominations for awards such as nominations for All-Star teams and Rookie of the Year wins. Robinson would also use his voice for Civil Rights Movement too.
A supporter of Martin Luther King Junior and Malcolm X, Robinson would become active in political campaigns for men like Richard Nixon and Barry Goldwater while capturing even more honors and awards. The Presidential Medal of Freedom was adorned on him along with the Congressional Gold Medal.
Jackie Robinson died in 1972. His wife set up the Jackie Robinson Foundation and today, Robinson's legacy lives on.
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