Jackie Robinson

 

My most influential, from a sporting standpoint, has to be Jackie Robinson. There was recently a film

that was released, titled "42" that told the life story about Jackie Robinson. Robinson was the first

ever professional baseball player to break the color barrier in the 1940's. The game of baseball was still

segregated, and blacks were not allowed to play the game, only white players. Robinson decided he

was going to break this rule, and would become the first ever black member of a professional sports

team. He debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943, and ever since has set the precedent for all black

players. If you look at some sports today, such as basketball, baseball and football, they are

predominantly made out of black or latin players. All of them owe their thanks to Robinson, for having

the courage to step up and be the first ever african american to play the game.