3 times Jackie Robinson was a badass civil rights activist

He was way more than a baseball player.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Friday is Jackie Robinson Day, and while most of us recognize him as the first black Major League Baseball player, he also did other notably badass things you may not know about.

The Brooklyn Dodgers first put Robinson on the field on April 15, 1947—exactly 69 years ago. In 1962, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

But the path to fame wasn't an easy road for the second baseman, who faced—and fought—racist backlash from baseball fans, the U.S.  government, and even his own teammates along the way. 

Here are three facts you may not have heard about the baseball star:

1. When he fought resistance from his teammates

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2. When he addressed racism before a U.S. House committee

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3. When he was a businessman and business, man

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