Jackie Robinson Quotes & Sayings

I know that I am a black man in a white world ... I know that I never had it made. — Jackie Robinson

A life isn't significant except for its impact on other lives. — Jackie Robinson

Baseball, like some other sports, poses as a sacred institution dedicated to the public good, but it is actually a big, selfish business with a ruthlessness that many big businesses would never think of displaying. — Jackie Robinson

The way I figured it, I was even with baseball and baseball with me. The game had done much for me, and I had done much for it. — Jackie Robinson

I'm not goin' anywhere, I'm right here! — Jackie Robinson

This ain't fun. But you watch me, I'll get it done. — Jackie Robinson

Next time I go to a movie and see a picture of a little ordinary girl become a great star ... I'll believe it. And whenever I hear my wife read fairy tales to my little boy, I'll listen. I know now that dreams do come true. — Jackie Robinson

Above anything else, I hate to lose. — Jackie Robinson

I never cared about acceptance as much as I cared about respect. — Jackie Robinson

Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life. — Jackie Robinson

Life is not a spectator sport. — Jackie Robinson

At the beginning of the World Series of 1947, I experienced a completely new emotion when the National Anthem was played. This time, I thought, it is being played for me, as much as for anyone else. — Jackie Robinson

I ought to break this trophy into 32 pieces — Jackie Robinson

The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time. — Jackie Robinson

Are you looking for a Negro who won't fight back? — Jackie Robinson

If I had to choose between baseball's Hall of Fame and first class citizenship for all of my people. I would say first-class citizenship. — Jackie Robinson

It kills me to lose. If I'm a troublemaker, and I don't think that my temper makes me one, then it's because I can't stand losing. That's the way I am about winning, all I ever wanted to do was finish first. — Jackie Robinson

You're going to be a great player, kid. — Jackie Robinson

If Jesus ever had PMS, he totally would have sinned. — Jackie Robinson

Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he's losing; nobody wants you to quit when you're ahead. — Jackie Robinson

The most luxurious possession, the richest treasure anybody has, is his personal dignity. — Jackie Robinson

I am not concerned with being liked or disliked. I am concerned with being respected — Jackie Robinson

When he (Richard Nixon) took the oath of office, he pledged to be the president for 100% of the people, and I challenge the president to prove that he is being the president for 100% of the people. — Jackie Robinson

Pop flies, in a sense, are just a diversion for a second baseman. Grounders are his stock trade. — Jackie Robinson

The many of us who attain what we may and forget those who help us along the line we've got to remember that there are so many others to pull along the way. The farther they go, the further we all go. — Jackie Robinson

There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free. — Jackie Robinson

How you played in yesterday's game is all that counts. — Jackie Robinson

A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives. — Jackie Robinson

I guess you'd call me an independent, since I've never identified myself with one party or another in politics. I always decide my vote by taking as careful a look as I can at the actual candidates and issues themselves, no matter what the party label. — Jackie Robinson

I don't think that I or any other Negro, as an American citizen, should have to ask for anything that is rightfully his. We are demanding that we just be given the things that are rightfully ours and that we're not looking for anything else. — Jackie Robinson

I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me. All I ask is that you respect me as a human being. — Jackie Robinson

I don't like needing anyone for anything. — Jackie Robinson