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This talks about all the greatest black athletes in the world. I have a relationship with this because it's saying for young black kids and adults that they can play sports and it gives them motivation. Sports scholarships often provide access to higher education for young Black athletes who might otherwise face financial or systemic barriers to college. Excelling in sports can lead to lucrative careers in professional leagues, such as the NBA, NFL, or international soccer leagues, offering financial security and a platform for influence. Participation in sports connects athletes with mentors, coaches, and peers who can open doors to other opportunities beyond athletics. Success on the field or court can build self-worth, especially for young Black individuals who might face systemic challenges in other areas of life.

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The #Undefeated50 is here. Peep the rank of your fav black athlete.

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Jackie Robinson is the greatest baseball player in history. Not just because he's a baseball player also because he is the first African American to play in MLB. Jackie Robinson’s life is a powerful story of struggles and triumphs, not only in sports but also in the fight for civil rights and racial equality. Jackie Robinson grew up in Pasadena, California, where he and his family faced racism and exclusion. Despite California being less segregated than the South, discrimination in housing, employment, and education was pervasive. While serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Robinson experienced racial discrimination. He was court-martialed for refusing to move to the back of a segregated bus but was eventually acquitted. In 1947, Robinson became the first Black player in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He faced relentless racism from fans, opposing players, and even some teammates, including: Death threats and verbal abuse, Physical intimidation on the field, such as being deliberately spiked or thrown at by pitchers, and Isolation within the league, as many players and managers opposed integration. His achievements are exceptional athlete, excelling in multiple sports at UCLA. His talents eventually brought him to the Negro Leagues and then the MLB. His debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, was a groundbreaking moment in sports history, paving the way for integration in professional sports. Winning the MVP award in 1949. Helping the Dodgers win six National League pennants and the 1955 World Series.

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Celebrate Jackie Robinson's legacy at the Hall of Fame

When he stepped onto the Ebbets Field grass on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson changed the landscape of the National Pastime - and the nation itself. It was a victory for civil rights, a momentous cultural shift and the beginning of a long journey... all embodied by the Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman.

And the passage of time seems only to heighten the importance of the moment.

The baseball world pauses each April 15 to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day on the anniversary of his big league debut. But the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates Robinson every day through the Pride and Passion exhibit, educational programs and the preservation of stories from his singular career.

His Legacy

his career

Jackie Robinson burst onto the scene in 1947, breaking baseball's color barrier and bringing the Negro Leagues' electrifying style of play to the majors. He quickly became baseball's top drawing card and a symbol of hope to millions of Americans. With Robinson as the catalyst, the Dodgers won six pennants in his 10 seasons, along with the 1955 World Series title over the New York Yankees He dominated games on the base paths, stealing home 19 times while riling opposing pitchers with his daring baserunning style. Robinson was named National League MVP in 1949, leading the loop in hitting (.342) and steals (37), while driving in 124 runs.

Robinson Facts

Born: January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia Died: October 24, 1972, in Stamford, Connecticut

Major league debut: April 15, 1947

Teams: Kansas City Monarchs (1945) - Negro Leagues; Brooklyn Dodgers (1947-1956)

Awards: Six-time All-Star (1949-1954), National League MVP (1949), Rookie of the Year (1947)

Career Statistics: .311 batting average, 1,518 hits, 137 home runs, 734 RBI, 740 walks, 947 runs scored, 197 stolen bases

Jackie's Impact as a Player

From Jackie's major league debut in 1947 until 1959, when the Boston Red Sox became the last of the 16 teams to integrate, African Americans won nine Most Valuable Player awards, nine Rookie of the Year awards, five Home Run titles, four league batting crowns and a Cy Young The African-American players capturing major awards in this span: Hank Aaron (1956 BAT, 1957 HR, 1957 MVP, 1959 BAT); Ernie Banks (1958 HR, 1958, 1959 MVP); Joe Black (1952 ROY); Roy Campanella (1951, 1953, 1955 MVP); Orlando Cepeda (1958 ROY); Larry Doby (1952, 1954 HR); Junior Gilliam (1953 ROY); Sam Jethroe (1950 ROY); Willie Mays (1951 ROY, 1954 MVP, 1954 BAT, 1955 HR); Willie McCovey (1959 ROY); Don Newcombe (1949 ROY, 1956 MVP, 1956 CYA); Frank Robinson (1956 ROY); and Jackie (1947 ROY, 1949 MVP, 1949 BAT).

Top Ten Moments

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum presents the Top 10 moments in the career of Jackie Robinson:

- On October 23, 1945, Robinson was signed to a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers by Branch Rickey.

- On April 18, 1946, Robinson debuted with the Montreal Royals of the International League as the starting second baseman, becoming the first African-American player in professional baseball since the turn of the century. Robinson won the International League batting title in 1946.

- On April 15, 1947, 28-year-old Jackie Robinson made an historic debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the 20th century...Robinson went 0-for-3 in his debut, but flawlessly handled 11 chances at first base against the Boston Braves.

- On Sept. 17, 1947, Robinson was named the Rookie of the Year by the Sporting News, though the season had two weeks remaining. In his rookie season, Robinson hit .297 with 12 home runs and 48 RBI in 151 games.

- On Nov. 18, 1949, Robinson was named the National League's Most Valuable Player, batting .342 with 16 home runs and 124 RBI.

- On Sept. 28, 1955, at Yankee Stadium in Game One of the 1955 World Series, Jackie Robinson steals home in the top of the 8th inning to close the score to 6-5 Yankees...Frank Kellert was pinch-hitting for the Dodgers, with Whitey Ford pitching and Yogi Berra catching for New York...The Yankees would win Game One, 6-5, though the Dodgers would win the series in seven games.

- On July 23, 1962, Jackie Robinson is inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

- On October 15, 1972, just nine days before his death, in his last public appearance, Robinson throws out the first pitch before Game Two of the 1972 World Series, and calls for Major League Baseball to hire a Black manager.

- On April 15, 1997, Major League Baseball universally retires Jackie Robinson's number 42 for every major league team.

- On June 25, 2008, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum unveils a re-cast Hall of Fame plaque for Jackie Robinson, to reflect his role in breaking baseball's color barrier;

More About Jackie

Click below for additional information on Jackie Robinson's career, including video, statistics, photos, artifacts, quotes and much more. Information on Jackie Robinson is also available at the website of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, http://www.jackierobinson.org.

His Place in Cooperstown

Jack Roosevelt Robinson earned his spot in Cooperstown in 1962, as part of an Induction class featuring Bob Feller, Bill McKechnie and Edd Roush...Robinson earned election on his first ballot, joining Feller from that year, as the first two first-ballot electees by the Baseball Writers' Association of America since the inaugural 1936 Hall of Fame vote...Robinson earned votes on 77.5 percent (124 of 160) of all ballots cast.

Hall of Fame Induction Speech

Jackie Robinson delivered the following address on his Induction Day into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown on July 23, 1962...Robinson was introduced by Ford C. Frick:

"Thank you very much, Mr. Frick. First let me say how much of a thrill it is to be coming into the Hall of Fame with Bob Feller, Mr. McKechnie, and Mr. Roush. I want to also let you know that I feel quite inadequate here this afternoon, or this morning. But I think a lot of this has been eliminated, because today, it seems that everything is complete.

First of all, I want you to know that this honor that was brought upon me here could not have happened without the great work and the advice and guidance that I've had from three of the most wonderful people that I know. And if any of them weren't here today, I know that this day could not be complete. But, they're all here and I just hope you don't mind if I just pay a word of thanks and a tribute to my advisor and a wonderful friend, a man who I consider a father, Mr. Branch Rickey.

And my mother, who taught me so much of the important things early in life. I appreciate no end, my mother Mrs. Robinson. And lastly, ladies and gentlemen, my wife, who has been such a wonderful inspiration to me. And the person who has guided and advised me throughout our entire marriage. I couldn't have been here today without her help.

And then I...and I must thank the baseball writers...I never thought at all that I would have this wonderful honor coming to me so early in my lifetime. And to have the writers to elect me on the first time is a thrill that I shall never forget. We have been up in cloud nine since the election. I don't ever think I'll come down. But I want to thank all of the people throughout this country who were just so wonderful during those trying days. I appreciate it at no end and it's the greatest honor any person could have and I only hope that I'll be able to live up to this tremendously fine honor. It's something that I think those of us who are fortunate again, must use in order to help others. Because it's such a tremendous honor that we should be able to go out and do things to help. I'm just grateful and I'm sorry I've taken so long, but I just wanted you to know that I appreciate it so much. Thank you."

Hall of Fame Plaque

On June 25, 2008, The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a new Hall of Fame plaque for Hall of Fame member Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson in Cooperstown. Rachel Robinson, the widow of the 1962 Hall of Fame inductee, and their daughter, Sharon, were present for the event, which featured remarks by Hall of Fame Board Chairman Jane Forbes Clark.

"When he earned election to the Hall of Fame in 1962, Jackie Robinson totaled a career worthy of inclusion, based on performance alone," Clark said. "He told baseball writers that when considering his candidacy, they should only consider his playing ability - what his impact was on the playing field. At his induction in 1962, his plaque reflected his wishes - it only recounted his magnificent playing career. But as we all know, there's no person more central and more important to the history of baseball, for his pioneering ways, than Jackie Robinson. Today, his impact is not fully defined without mention of his extreme courage in crossing baseball's color line. We are proud of the changes we have made."

The new plaque is now on display in the Hall of Fame Gallery, replacing the original plaque in its same location, while the old plaque will remain a part of the Museum's collections and will be used for educational purposes. Text from the new Jackie Robinson Hall of Fame plaque reads as follows:
JACK ROOSEVELT ROBINSON
"JACKIE"JACK ROOSEVELT ROBINSON
BROOKLYN N.L. 1947 TO 1956
BROOKLYN, N.L., 1947-1956
A PLAYER OF EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY RENOWNED FOR HIS ELECTRIFYING STYLE OF PLAY. OVER 10 SEASONS HIT .311, SCORED MORE THAN 100 RUNS SIX TIMES, NAMED TO SIX ALL-STAR TEAMS AND LED BROOKLYN TO SIX PENNANTS AND ITS ONLY WORLD SERIES TITLE, IN 1955. THE 1947 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, AND THE 1949 N.L. MVP WHEN HE HIT A LEAGUE-BEST .342 WITH 37 STEALS. LED SECOND BASEMEN IN DOUBLE PLAYS FOUR TIMES AND STOLE HOME 19 TIMES. DISPLAYED TREMENDOUS COURAGE AND POISE IN 1947 WHEN HE INTEGRATED THE MODERN MAJOR LEAGUES IN THE FACE OF INTENSE ADVERSITY.

Text from the old Jackie Robinson Hall of Fame plaque reads as follows:

LEADING N.L. BATTER IN 1949. HOLDS FIELDING MARK FOR SECOND BASEMAN PLAYING IN 150 OR MORE GAMES WITH .992. LED N.L. IN STOLEN BASES IN 1947 AND 1949. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER IN 1949. LIFETIME BATTING AVERAGE .311. JOINT RECORD HOLDER FOR MOST DOUBLE PLAYS BY SECOND BASEMAN, 137 IN 1951. LED SECOND BASEMAN IN DOUBLE PLAYS 1949-50-51-52.

Famous Quotes Spoken by Jackie Robinson

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

"I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me. All I ask is that you respect me as a human being."

"Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life."

More on the Integration of Baseball

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Celebrate Jackie Robinson's legacy at the Hall of Fame When he stepped onto the Ebbets Field grass on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson changed the landscape of the National Pastime - and the nation itself. It was a victory for civil rights, a momentous cultural shift and the beginning of a long journey...

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MJ early life is that he was born February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina. His college career was good as well Attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he hit the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship game as a freshman. He was drafted in the NBA in 1984 to the Chicago Bulls. His dominance in the NBA is that he won 6 NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls 1991–1993, 1996–1998. He earned 5 MVP. He's a 14-time NBA All-Star and 10-time scoring champion, leading the league in scoring more seasons than any other player. Jordan was also a defensive powerhouse, winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1988. Jordan’s partnership with Nike revolutionized sports marketing with the launch of Air Jordan sneakers in 1984. The brand remains one of the most successful and iconic in sports apparel history. As the face of the NBA during the 1990s, Jordan helped turn basketball into a global phenomenon. His popularity extended to countries worldwide, making the NBA a truly international league. Starred in the 1996 film Space Jam, blending his basketball legacy with entertainment, further solidifying his status as a cultural icon. Jordan has supported numerous charitable causes, including education, healthcare, and social justice initiatives, donating millions through his foundation and personal contributions. Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time (GOAT) for his combination of skill, mental toughness, and winning mentality. His style of play influenced future generations of athletes, including Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

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The Legend of Michael Jordan | The Players’ Tribune

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“A legacy is built by more than what is seen. It is not given, it is earned.” This is the legend of Michael Jordan.

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Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes in the history of sports. Her story is one of perseverance, talent, and an unrelenting drive for success, transcending tennis to inspire generations worldwide. Serena and her sister Venus were coached by their father, Richard Williams, who had no formal training in tennis but believed in their potential. Practiced on public courts in Compton amid challenging surroundings, including expos ure to violence and limited resources. Won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era and second-most in history, including: 7 Australian Opens, 3 French Opens, 7 Wimbledons, and 6 U.S. Opens. Serena’s powerful and aggressive style of play, combined with unmatched athleticism and mental toughness, changed the way women’s tennis is played. Her serve is considered one of the greatest weapons in tennis history, consistently reaching high speeds with precision. After giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia, in 2017, Serena returned to compete at the highest levels, reaching multiple Grand Slam finals, showing resilience and redefining what’s possible for working mothers in sports.

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Considered the greatest women's tennis player of all time, and perhaps the greatest athlete of all time, Serena Williams has revolutionized women's tennis since the 1990s. With 23 Grand Slam titles, Williams rose from the public courts of Compton, California to shatter records and dominate the field.

Serena Jameka Williams was born to parents Richard Williams and Oracene Price on September 26, 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan. Williams is the youngest of Price's five daughters, who include fellow tennis superstar Venus Williams. Richard Williams, a former sharecropper from Louisiana, was determined that daughters Serena and Venus would succeed in life. Seeing opportunity in tennis, he and Oracene taught themselves the game from books and videos so that they could coach their children. Richard moved the family to Compton, California, where Williams began intensive tennis training with her father and older sister around the age of three. The Williams sisters practiced for hours every day on rundown public tennis courts.

Williams joined the junior United States Tennis Association tour and by 1991 she ranked first in the 10-and-under division. Richard then moved the family to Palm Beach, Florida, where the sisters trained with coach Rick Macci. Richard kept Williams and her sister from competing in the junior tournaments, hoping to ensure that they would not burn out before turning professional.

In 1995, at the age of 14, Williams made her professional debut at a qualifying event in Quebec City. Fellow American Annie Miller defeated her soundly. Williams did not play another professional match until 1997, but by the end of that year she rose to number 99 in the world rankings. In 1998, Williams's ranking rose to number 20 and she surpassed Monica Seles to become the fastest player to record five victories against Top 10 players.

Williams graduated from Driftwood Academy in 1999 and soon after signed a $12 million endorsement deal with Puma. She won her first Grand Slam title that year, when she defeated Martina Hingis 6-3, 7-6 to win the U.S. Open, and rose to number four in the world rankings. Two years later, Williams lost to her sister in the U.S. Open final - it was the first time that sisters played against each other in a Grand Slam final since 1884.

The African-American Williams and her sister made an immediate impact in the predominately white tennis world: their strength and athleticism on the court overmatched many opponents and their colorful, fashionable styles garnered media attention. The Williams sisters are credited with ushering in the power era of women's tennis, characterized by blindingly-fast serves and commanding groundstrokes. They competed together as doubles partners, eventually winning 14 Grand Slam doubles titles. They took gold at the 2000, 2008, and 2012 Olympics and are the winningest doubles tennis team in Olympic history.

In 2001, Williams won California's Indian Wells tournament for the second time. Williams, along with her father and sister who were watching in the stands, claimed spectators hurled racial slurs their way while booing them. Williams later described the racist treatment as traumatizing and she boycotted the tournament until 2015.

Williams continued to amass victories and rise in the rankings. In 2002, she won her second, third, and fourth Grand Slam titles at Roland-Garros (the French Open), Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open, respectively. In each of those tournaments, she defeated her sister Venus in the final match. On July 8, 2002 she reached the ranking of number one in the world, a position she held for 57 straight weeks. In 2003, Williams won her first Australian Open, becoming one of only six women in the Open Era (post-1968) to complete a career Grand Slam (in which a player wins all four major championships). Williams actually held all four titles at once, an accomplishment she dubbed "The Serena Slam."

However, 2003 also brought troubles for Williams. She underwent knee surgery in August and in September her older sister, Yetunde Price, was murdered in Los Angeles. The loss of her sister was difficult for Williams. She came back from the knee injury in the 2004 season, but other injuries plagued her for the next three years. She won the Australian Open in 2005 and 2007, but her injuries and losses resulted in her ranking dropping to number 139.

In 2008, Williams began her return to championship form by winning the U.S. Open. The following year, she won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and reclaimed her number one world ranking. Her five-year gap between number one rankings is the longest of any player ever. Williams cited her faith as a Jehovah's Witness as well as an inspirational trip to West Africa for restoring her competitive spirit. In 2009, she faced fines and probation after an altercation with a referee at the U.S. Open, but the following year Williams added two more Grand Slam titles and finished the season ranked number four.

Williams suffered from a blood clot in her lung in 2011, but returned to dominance later that year. In 2012, Williams earned a gold medal for singles' tennis at the London Olympic Games. The 2013-2015 seasons marked her third, fourth, and fifth number-one seasons, after which she had won her 21 st Grand Slam championship and completed her second Serena Slam.

In 2017, Williams won the Australian Open. It was her 23 rd Grand Slam title, meaning she surpassed Steffi Graf's record for Grand Slam singles' titles in the Open Era. A few months later, she revealed she was expecting her first child and had been pregnant when she won the Australian Open. That September, Williams gave birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr., and married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian shortly after. Williams experienced a difficult childbirth: she had an emergency cesarean section and suffered from another blood clot and other severe complications. By telling her story publicly, Williams contributed to a growing national dialogue about the disproportionately high number of Black women that suffer from pregnancy and postpartum complications.

Williams returned to tennis in 2018, ranked number 549. The attention Williams brought to the issue of rankings after giving birth led the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) to take action. The WTA's new rule allowed players who leave the sport for childbirth or injury to use their previous rankings to enter up to 12 tournaments within three years of their return. Williams, whose career winnings exceed $90 million, also advocates for female tennis players regarding equitable prize money.

Outside of tennis, Williams has been busy as well. She realized her fashion design dreams when she released her clothing line ("S by Serena") in 2018 as well as a jewelry line in 2019. She serves as a UNICEF International Goodwill Ambassador; has opened two secondary schools in Kenya; and sits on the board of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative. She has her own venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, that invests in technology companies owned or led by women and African Americans.

Williams was named the AP Female Athlete of the Decade for her dominance in the 2010s. She continues to inspire tennis hopefuls and the wider public through her hard work and pursuit of excellence on and off the court.

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Considered the greatest women's tennis player of all time, and perhaps the greatest athlete of all time, Serena Williams has revolutionized women's tennis since the 1990s. With 23 Grand Slam titles, Williams rose from the public courts of Compton, California to shatter records and dominate the field.

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Deion Sanders, known as "Prime Time" and "Coach Prime," is one of the most iconic figures in sports history. His success spans across professional football, baseball, and now coaching. His story is one of extraordinary talent, relentless determination, and an ability to excel in multiple arenas. A standout cornerback who earned the Jim Thorpe Award in 1988 as the nation’s top defensive back. Deion even played baseball in his prime : Played as an outfielder, contributing to Florida State’s College World Series run. He was selected in 1989 to the Atlanta falcons. Known for his unmatched speed, ball-hawking skills, and ability to shut down the NFL’s best wide receivers. Two-time Super Bowl Champion 1994 with the 49ers, 1995 with the Cowboys. Scored touchdowns in multiple ways—interceptions, punt returns, kick returns, and even as a wide receiver. Holds the record for the most return touchdowns in NFL history. Became head coach for the struggling Colorado Buffaloes football program. In his first season, transformed the team with a mix of elite recruits and transfers, leading to a dramatic turnaround and renewed excitement for the program. Deion Sanders’ success story is a testament to versatility, resilience, and charisma. From dominating two professional sports to becoming a transformative coach, his impact extends far beyond the field. Known for his ability to inspire and lead, Sanders remains a symbol of greatness, determination, and unshakable confidence.

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Deion Sanders embodies the great American success story

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Deion Sanders created the “Prime Time” persona and made himself into a star. Now he’s using his acclaim to shine a light on his players.

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If you were born around the 50s or 90s and you wanted to play sports in that era you would have to deal with the challenges, racial problems and fianace would you be able to go through that and still play sports?