The man who broke the baseball color barrier, Jackie Robinson, is an individual that many students both young and old learn about in classrooms across the country.
But aside from his success in breaking the color barrier and his hard work during the civil rights movement, many don’t know much about Jackie Robinson the father, son, and man.
Here are 10 facts you didn’t know about Jackie Robinson.
1. Teddy Roosevelt Dedication
His middle name was an homage to President Teddy Roosevelt, who had died just 25 days before Robinson’s birth. His full name is Jackie Roosevelt Robinson.
2. Lieutenant Jackie Roosevelt Robinson?
In 1942, Robinson entered Officers’ Candidate School that year and became a lieutenant colonel in 1943. He became close friends with heavyweight champion Joe Louis while in the Army.
3. Diverse Debut
Close to 30,000 African Americans were in attendance for Jackie Robinson’s home debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
4. Jackie The Track, Football, And Basketball Star?
While at UCLA, just like in high school, Robinson once again earned varsity letters in baseball, football, basketball and track and field.
5. The Big Screen!
Jackie starred in the movie ‘The Jackie Robinson Story’ in 1950.
6. Coffee Please…
Robinson became Vice President of Chock Full o’Nuts in 1957.
7. Jackie, The Community Man
Jackie formed the Jackie Robinson Construction Company in 1970 to build housing for families with low incomes.
8. National Landmark
In 1976, Jackie’s home in Brooklyn, the Jackie Robinson House, was declared a National Historic Landmark.
9. Battles With Illnesses
Robinson was almost blind in middle age itself and suffered from diabetes and heart disease during the same time period.
10. Athletic Family?
Jackie’s older brother was in the Olympics. Matthew won a silver medal in the 200-meter dash—just behind Jesse Owens—at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.
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