’42′ as 28: Watch video of Jackie Robinson as a UCLA football star
There's only one problem with the video posted by USC athletics that features UCLA football star Jackie Robinson, and the problem is that there aren't a dozen more like it.
This is a great find by USC. Very, very few athletes have ever matched Robinson's accomplishments on the field(s) of play and in the social spectrum as well. His impact is tremendous. A good argument could be made that if multi-sport accomplishments and social impact are included in the argument, Robinson is the greatest American athlete. The popularity of the movie "42" that is out right now will help spread the word to anyone who didn't know enough about Robinson and his impressive life.
The most underrated aspect of Robinson's athletic achievements is his multi-sport ability. Too many people still don't know that way before Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders came along, Jackie Robinson dominated four sports.
We wrote about his phenomenal athletic career at UCLA last month. The video of this 1939 football game between USC and UCLA shows some glimpses of what Robinson, wearing No. 28, was as a football player.
He shows off great moves as a punt returner (he's still fifth all-time in career punt return average). He makes a tremendous one-handed catch. He forces a fumble at the goal line that helped keep USC off the board. The game ended up in a 0-0 tie.
The video is great. We just wish there was more.
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