Jackie Robinson’s family had little money, but they understood the value of education. In high school, Jackie became a star athlete in several sports. He earned a scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). At UCLA, Jackie played baseball, football, basketball, and track. His worst sport was baseball, but he didn’t give up, and baseball became the sport that made him famous.

When Robinson was a young man, African Americans were not allowed to play major league baseball. So, it took courage for Jackie Robinson to break the “color barrier” in 1947. That’s when he become the first African American to play major league baseball since 1880.

As a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson became a hall-of-fame player. And in 1997, his uniform number, 42, was retired by every major league team. He was the first pro athlete in any sport to be honored in that way. Jackie Robinson was a great athlete, but the courage and determination he showed — both on the field and off — made him a star in an even more important game: the game of life.

Don’t Give Up!

“Tough times never last but tough people do.”
Robert Schuller

“We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world.”
Helen Keller

“When God shuts a door, He opens a window.”
John Ruskin

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is to always try just one more time.”
Thomas Edison

“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.”
Babe Ruth