42

There will be protest…
America is not ready…
You’ll lose business…
It’ll create a circus…
Too much fuss for a limited talent…
Too controversial…
Not “grateful…”
Not really interested in playing…
National opinion is against it…
It’ll disrupt teammates…
Has disrespected authorities…
Businesses have a right to choose who they employ…

And people will ask: “Why can’t I just enjoy sports without having politics rubbed in my face? Sports are supposed to be about fun, so stick to sports!”

You think you know who I’m talking about—don’t you?

Actually I’m talking about a: 

UCLA athlete who played running back, was all conference in basketball and was an Olympic level sprinter—Some argue the sport that made him the most important athlete in the history of Major League Baseball was his worst sport.

Who was brought up on military charges for being “uppity” and “disrespectful” because of not moving to the back of a bus,

That was according to some people “old,” “slow,” “and lacking skills” so not worth adding to a team,

Was seen as “disruptive” and too “fiery” to be a good teammate,

It was predicted that people and businesses would boycott because of his inclusion,

Who after a Hall of Fame career in which he endured castigation, anger and threats said something that if it was repeated today would get him called everything but a child of God:

“As I write this twenty years later, I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a black man in a white world. In 1972, in 1947, at my birth in 1919, I know that I never had it made.”

As we celebrate what Jackie did today…all I have to say is this:

It was not just about sports for Jackie in 1947—and it won’t be about sport when sports come back… 

Until Next Time