Hero Hall of Fame
Do you have any heroes who are
sports players?
Can sports
players be
heroes of the
First
Amendment?
Let’s recall what the
1st Amendment says…
“Congress shall make no law
…abridging the freedom
of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble…”
Let’s learn more
about this hero
of the
First Amendment
by looking at
these pictures.
What can they tell
us about him?
Let’s read
about Jackie
Robinson.
Do you know what
America’s national sport is?
Baseball!
Jackie Robinson grew up
with brothers who
enjoyed playing sports.
And Jackie, like his
brothers, was very good
at many sports.
When Jackie was in
school, he played
on the football,
basketball,
baseball,
and track teams.
But most Americans
remember Jackie as
one of the greatest
baseball
players
in history.
Even though his family
was poor, Jackie went
to college.
He was the first person to
play on four of the college’s
sports teams!
After college, Jackie
served a few years
in the U.S. Army.
He was an officer
and helped
to train
other soldiers.
When Jackie lived,
things were different in
the United States.
Some people did not
treat other people fairly.
For example, some people
did not treat
African-Americans,
like Jackie,
equally.
African-Americans could
not work at any job they
wanted. They could not live
or eat or shop at any place
they wanted.
Some people wanted
African-Americans
to keep to themselves in
separate communities.
Black citizens did not have
the same freedoms as
everyone else.
There were even separate
baseball teams for
African-American players.
But Jackie helped to stop
this unfair treatment.
He was a brave man.
And he proved that all
sports players could play
together.
Jackie Robinson became
the first black player of
major league baseball.
He played for the
Brooklyn Dodgers.
Some people came to the
ball games and called him
names. But he had courage.
He proved that any one
should have a chance at any
job they wanted.
Jackie traveled around the
United States asking
everyone to accept each
other. He spoke to children
and adults about treating
each other fairly.
President Reagan
gave him the
Medal of Freedom.
Jackie had done much
to help win freedom
and rights for himself
and for others.
Jackie once said,
“I do not care if you
like me or don’t like me.
I care that you
respect me.”
What words
would you
describe
Jackie
Robinson
as a hero?
What parts of the 1st Amendment
did Jackie Robinson
use to bring change for others?
“Congress shall make no law
…abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press; or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble…”