Journalism on Display: The Undefeated, ESPN Honor Jackie Robinson Day With Original Content
Multi-platform storytelling, doubleheader game coverage highlight ESPN's examination of Robinson's legacy
Thursday, April 15, marked Jackie Robinson Day – a time to recognize, honor, and celebrate Robinson’s legacy, which included breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier on that day in 1947. Robinson also made countless other history-making contributions in the years that preceded and followed.
This week, many writers told incredibly powerful stories about Robinson. Willie Weinbaum told the story of “The Handshake” between Robinson and teammate George Shuba. The moment, which occurred 75 years ago this weekend, is also currently being immortalized as a bronze statue (more from Weinbaum on the piece here). Additionally, The Undefeated and ESPN debuted a brand film that articulates and celebrates the idea of Black History Always.
In addition, ESPN commemorated Robinson’s life and legacy during its April 13 MLB doubleheader game coverage, which included a diverse set of special guests to tell the story of Robinson’s impact in baseball and beyond. In addition to player interviews, filmmaker Ken Burns, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Bob Kendrick, and NFL legend Jim Brown joined the telecast to share their personal stories of Robinson’s lasting legacy in today’s world beyond baseball.
Many other new and previously published stories were highlighted as well (examples below). Read more at The Undefeated.
Humanity is found when a people can go from "mattering" as only meaning "to take up space" to "being of importance and significance." Jackie Robinson pushed baseball and the world to only accept the latter. #MLB #Dodgers @JRFoundation @TheUndefeated ⬇️https://t.co/OHdrXEMemi
— Doug Glanville (@dougglanville) October 27, 2020
For every person familiar with baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, there are others who don’t know about Emlen Tunnell, the first Black Pro Football Hall of Famer, or Ann Gregory, the first Black woman to enter a USGA-sponsored event.https://t.co/38NJ53J4KW
— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) February 27, 2021
Katie Hughes contributed to this post.
Awak Kuier is the daughter of South Sudanese immigrants who moved to Finland when she was two.
Now 19 and 6-foot-5, Kuier has been named the queen of Finnish basketball. She’s also a projected Top-5 pick in the draft.
My story on Kuier for @TheUndefeatedhttps://t.co/ogariyAwu8
— Sean Hurd (@seanahurd) April 13, 2021
Stephen Curry and Lee Elder join forces to inspire more Black golfers — The Undefeated https://t.co/GtfirtQe6U
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) April 15, 2021
Really enjoyable read from @ryanhockensmith. https://t.co/4fYdZHS8CH
— Dan Pompei (@danpompei) April 9, 2021
"I think that sometimes, Charli just has to take a deep breath and realize that everything's going to be OK." Really enjoyed this read from @dwil on Charli Collier, projected No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, trying to reach the potential everyone sees in her https://t.co/aRsHyJOlG0
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) April 13, 2021
Wright on Hideki Matsuyama was beautiful. https://t.co/wX30nldRxe
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) April 12, 2021
#RT @espn: RT @TheUndefeated: The powerful impact a group of 17- and 18-year-old determined young women can have on change.
“Why We Kneel – The Norman High School Girls Basketball Team”
Full feature: https://t.co/Irc9eSp7UC pic.twitter.com/UZmH6aRSPO
— Serious Tattoo Fan (@TattooRemovalSG) April 13, 2021
– Michael Skarka and Mac Nwulu