Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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In this moving segment from Greatest Sports Legends, host Ken Howard reflects on the profound impact of Jackie Robinson, beginning with the somber details of his funeral on October 27, 1972. At Riverside Church in New York City, 2,500 mourners gathered to honor a man who was so much more than an athlete. You’ll hear the unforgettable words of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who famously declared that Jackie had finally "stole home and is safe." We then take a look back at Robinson’s historic career and the immense courage it took to break baseball’s color barrier. The episode was produced in 1982, for Season 9.

What is your favorite memory or fact about Jackie Robinson's incredible legacy? Let us know in the comments below!

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