Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — On Jackie Robinson Day, under the sunlit skies of Dodger Stadium, players from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies gathered around the statue of baseball’s most trailblazing figure. The annual tradition was marked this year by a moving pregame ceremony that included a powerful address from basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The celebration began with Nicole Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, who recalled her personal connection to Robinson’s legacy. A former Jackie Robinson Foundation scholar, Whiteman reflected on the enduring inspiration Jackie and his wife Rachel provided on her path from first-generation college student to philanthropic leader. “Jackie’s legacy and his wife Rachel’s grace and strength in the face of adversity guided my journey,” she said, crediting them for helping shape not just her life, but the lives of countless young leaders.
The crowd was then introduced to Robinson’s granddaughters, Sonya Pankey Robinson and Imani Robinson, who were present to carry on the family legacy. Sonya, making her first visit to Los Angeles, reflected on her grandfather’s courage and the generational impact of his short but extraordinary 53 years.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, himself a trailblazer as the first African American manager in team history, spoke next. A fellow UCLA Bruin like Robinson, Roberts emphasized the responsibility that comes with wearing a Major League uniform. “Young kids are watching everything we do,” he reminded the players, stressing that Jackie’s legacy is about how we live every day—not just on April 15.
Then came the highlight of the ceremony: NBA icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who delivered a deeply personal tribute. Born the day after Jackie Robinson’s historic debut in 1947, Abdul-Jabbar shared how Jackie’s story shaped his own childhood and worldview. He recalled his mother, raised in segregated North Carolina, tuning in to Dodgers games out of newfound hope. “Jackie made black Americans proud,” Abdul-Jabbar said, explaining how the Brooklyn Dodgers became a household name in his home—long before he understood the sport.
He also recounted a lesser-known moment from Jackie’s military service, when Robinson refused to give up his seat on a bus in segregated Louisiana and beat a resulting court martial. “If Jackie hadn’t survived World War II,” Abdul-Jabbar said, “we wouldn’t be here.”
The Hall of Famer went on to describe his first meeting with Robinson—alongside fellow icon Bill Russell–at a restaurant in New York after winning Rookie of the Year in 1970. “Jackie gave everything to the Dodgers—his heart, soul, and body,” he said, calling the 1955 World Series win one of the happiest days of his life.
Abdul-Jabbar closed by encouraging players to ignore their detractors, emulate Robinson’s integrity, and give their all. “Jackie showed us how to do it,” he said. “Excellence, giving it all, giving your best.”
As the teams prepared for that night’s game, every player wore Jackie Robinson’s iconic number 42, just as they have every April 15 since 2004. The ceremony served as a reminder that Robinson’s impact goes far beyond baseball—it reaches into every corner of American life, including the lives of young scholars, coaches, managers, and legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
As Nicole Whiteman concluded, “A life is not important except for the impact it has on other lives. Happy Jackie Robinson Day to everybody.”
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