Breaking The Barrier

            

        Breaking The Barrier

      I told my mom I want to go to college close to home.  I wanted to go to U.C.L.A.  My mom thought about it and said “all right.” I heard about there sports and education.  It was also close to home.        In 1939 I entered the University of California Los Angeles.  I played Baseball, Track, Football, Basketball, Swimming, and Tennis.  In  Football  I was called the “greatest ball carrier,” I won the NCAA championships in Swimming, In Basketball I led the Pacific  Conference in scoring for two seasons, I also reached the semifinals in Tennis. I felt great.  I didn’t know what sport to play.    In 1940 I called my mom and asked her “what sport should I play?” she said “you choose I think Football” I said “ok” and hung up.    In 1941 I decided to play Football for the Honolulu Bears but it didn’t work out and I left Hawaii two days before the attack of Pearl Harbor.    In 1947 I signed a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers. I was the first African American to play in the MLB.       I entered the locker room and heard people talking about this being my first game.  I got dressed and ran onto the field.  The crowd   were screaming things like “GO BACK TO THE NEGRO LEAGUE!” Most of the crowd  were screaming “BOOO!” I   really felt like going back to the Negro League.     I looked over at my only friend on the team Pee Wee Reese.  He didn’t like all the comments the fans were screaming.  I saw his legs starting to move in my direction. I was wondering what he was doing.  He walked up to me and said “it doesn’t matter” I said “what doesn’t matter” he said “the crowd there comments it’s rude.” Pee Wee put his arm around my shoulders. The crowd froze in dead silence.  I started to smile.  The crowd started to cheer. I  was extraordinarily happy.  I ran up to Pee Wee and said “thanks” he said “your welcome” in a happy voice.  I was thinking I will remember this for the rest of my life.  I thought wow I am the first African American to play in the MLB.    Because of my great years in U.C.L.A I learned to accept criticism and got better at sports witch led me to my great athletic career.