Rose Bowl Honors Jackie Robinson on His 105th Birthday
A day after a stolen Jackie Robinson statue was found burning in a trash can in Kansas, the Rose Bowl will commemorate the 105th birthday of the sports and civil rights icon on Wednesday at his statue outside of the historic venue in Pasadena.
Vandalism Incident in Wichita
Last week, Robinson’s bronze statue at McAdams Park in Wichita, Kan., was stolen and cut off at the ankles. Surveillance video captured two individuals dragging the statue to a truck, which was later recovered by investigators. On Tuesday morning, burned pieces of the statue were discovered in the remains of a trash can fire seven miles away in Garvey Park.
Rose Bowl Takes Precautions
The Rose Bowl, in response to the incident in Wichita, stated that its statue of Robinson playing football is under close watch. The venue expressed sadness and anger over the vandalism and assured that there have been no incidents or suspicious activity related to the Jackie Robinson statue outside of the Rose Bowl Stadium. The Rose Bowl will honor Robinson at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by an open house of the stadium.
A Legend and Civil Rights Icon
Jackie Robinson, who grew up in Pasadena and played multiple sports at UCLA, became the first Black player in modern Major League Baseball history when he signed with the Dodgers in 1947. Southern California is home to numerous monuments and statues honoring Robinson, including those outside Dodger Stadium and on UCLA’s campus. UCLA expressed its sadness over the vandalism and emphasized Robinson’s significance as both a notable alumnus and a civil rights icon.
Ongoing Investigation
The Wichita Police Department has conducted over 100 interviews as part of the investigation into the vandalism. The police spokesperson described the damaged pieces of the statue as “not salvageable.” The Wichita Fire Department has confirmed that the remaining parts of the statue have not yet been recovered. Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan assured the public that arrests will be made, but the authorities want to ensure a solid case before taking action.
Resilience and Support
League 42, a nonprofit youth baseball organization in Wichita named after Robinson’s jersey number, had the stolen statue installed outside its McAdams Park baseball complex. The organization plans to erect a new, identical statue in the same spot and implement increased security measures. Over $146,000 has been raised online, with extra donations going towards the operational needs of League 42. The organization remains devoted to its mission of providing low-cost baseball and education opportunities for children.
In the face of this crime, the determination to honor Jackie Robinson and his legacy remains unwavering.
