Jackie Robinson’s brother and Jackie Robinson himself must have enjoyed a chunk of time chasing each other around as they were both very swift and fast. Matthew “Mack” Robinson, Jackie’s eldest brother, won a silver medal in the 200-meter relay at the 1936 United States Olympics, defeating the Olympic gold medalist of 1932 for a place on the team.
Furthermore, at the 1936 Summer Games (Berlin), Mack tracked Owens to a world record in the 200 m, gaining the silver medal with a 21.1 to Owens’ 20.7. He came in second behind Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics. This is considered one of the most shocking and fascinating facts about Jackie Robinson’s brother.
An amazing Olympic sprinter since the 1930s
Matthew “Mack” Robinson claims that running appeared “naturally” to him. Indeed, only a couple of people in the world could sprint quicker or leap more between 1936 and 1938, and Mack was one of them. He is known as the greatest American field athlete of his tenure, while Robinson’s achievements have been overshadowed by those of Jesse Owens and his younger brother, Jackie Robinson – baseball hero. But Mack Robinson also earned his fair share of respect over time. He created national junior college records in the 100 m, 200 m, and long jump as a track athlete at Pasadena Junior College.
Mack Robinson was a support system for Jack Robinson
Back in the 1930s when Jackie Robinson was attending and graduating from high school, it was an uphill task for Black people to gain the benefit of basic education.
Furthermore, whatever the treatment was with Black people, Jack Robinson’s brother, Mack always supported his sports talent. All his brothers knew that he could be an amazing athlete in the future.
Mack, Jackie Robinson’s brother attended the University of Oregon on behalf of Jackie, which is a curious thing about him. Perhaps, it was earlier realized by Mack that Jackie’s education could only be continued with the help of athletics.
The ups and downs of the journey
Mack flourished in track-and-field at Los Angeles Junior College, particularly in the long jump and sprints, setting records for a national junior college in the long jump,100meters, and 200meters. Mack was inspired to prepare for the forthcoming Olympics after seeing the 1932 games in Los Angeles.
He faced the diagnosis of a heart problem as well as financial difficulties, which almost finished his career. Even after his health problems, Mack trained and was selected for the 1936 U.S. Olympic team. He also went to the Berlin Games, which was organized by Nazi Germany. Likewise, Mathew competed for the United States in Berlin, and he was among the 18 black athletes who joined the team, comprising 12 field and track athletes.
Accomplishments at the University of Oregon.
Mack previously ran for the University of Oregon. He slowly and gradually became friends with the University of Oregon’s assistant coach – Bill Hayward in the course of the Olympics, who encouraged him to participate in the 1937 to 1938 academic year. Mack Robinson won multiple championships at Oregon and established a school record in the 220-yard challenges. He captured the Amateur Athletic Union and National Collegiate Athletic Association championships during his time there. Mack Robinson received his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1941, from the University of Oregon.
The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame representative
Robinson is a representative and a member of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Oregon Hall of Fame. In 2000, he had a stadium named after him at Pasadena City College, and the current post office in Pasadena was also entitled the Matthew “Mack” Robinson Post Office Tower.
Landmarks in the stadium at Pasadena City College
Mack’s full name was “Matthew Mackenzie Mack Robinson.” He worked as a mailman and a trash collector for the city of Pasadena in his older life. Moreover, he attempted to reduce violence in Pasadena’s black communities.
At the age of 87, on March 12, 2000, he died in a Pasadena hospital. He left a great impact on the world with his athletic spirit. Therefore, the stadium at Pasadena City College is named after Mack Robinson. Also, the Pasadena Robinson Museum includes memorial statues for both Jackie and Mack Robinson, which was dedicated to them in 1997.