Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson made a special appearance on Thursday’s Fox Sports televised MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals at the historic Rickwood Field to pay tribute to the late Willie Mays, who passed away this week at the age of 93.
Returning to the Birmingham, Alabama ballpark where Mays began his career with the Birmingham Black Barons brought back difficult memories for Jackson. In a heartfelt moment during the broadcast, Jackson shared his emotions and experiences.
During an interview with Alex Rodriguez, Jackson openly discussed the racism he faced as a Black athlete during his time playing at Rickwood Field and traveling with his team. He recalled instances of being denied service at restaurants and hotels because of his race.
Despite facing such adversity, Jackson acknowledged the support of his manager and teammates, but emphasized that he wouldn’t want anyone to go through what he experienced.
Viewers were moved by Jackson’s candid storytelling, with many praising him for sharing his perspective without interruption. The video of his interview has sparked important conversations about the lasting impact of racial discrimination on older Black individuals.
Watch Reggie Jackson’s powerful speech in the video above, beginning at the 4:30 mark.
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