An Apology From Our Editors: Jackie Robinson Was Not A White Woman

It is with the utmost sincerity and embarrassment that we at Sports Riot must correct an unacceptable error we made several weeks ago. In a recent article, we referred to Baseball Hall of Famer and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson as a white woman. 

Jackie Roosevelt Robinson was not a white woman. “Research” via a very sternly written email was sent our way by an NAACP Representative. We, at Sports Riot, cannot stress enough how much Jackie Robinson is not a white woman. 

However.

In our defense, though… can you give us a little slack? His name was Jackie. What man is named Jackie? Aside from Jackie Jackson of course, who, for our money, was hands-down the best member of the Jackson 5. Michael gets all the praise, but Jackie was the foundation.

Further Sports Riot research shows when writing the original piece, we may have unintentionally mixed up Jackie Robinson with legendary sportswriter Jackie MacMullan. There were several references to her flowing blonde hair and statuesque frame, but in our defense again – frankly the same could be said about MISTER Jackie Robinson as well.

Again, you hear “Jackie” and your brain goes to “woman.” Except for Jackie Jackson, obviously, whose vocal range and not-being-Jackie-Robinson was unmatched by any of her brothers.

We sincerely apologize to the Robinson family, the MacMullan family, and especially the Jackson family. Jackie, your contributions to music and the baseball color barrier have not gone unnoticed.

UPDATE: Our 23andMe sources have not confirmed that Jackie Robinson was, in fact, the father of both Jackie MacMullan and Jackie Jackson.