Jackie Robinson's grandson carries on his sports legacy

Jet, Dec 23, 1996

Jesse Simms is carrying on the sports legacy of his grandfather, Jackie Robinson., in a big way.

The 17-year-old high school football player has won the attention of about 20 Division 1-A schools who would love to recruit him.

The 6-foot-3 inch, 270-pound teenager plays both offense and defense for his prep school, King & Low-Heywood Thomas School, in Stamford, CT. His team recently won the Northern Division championship of the Fairchester Athletic Association, which includes prep schools from Connecticut and West-chester, NY.

Very few people may recall that Robinson, who won fame as the first Black to play major league baseball in 1947 also played football while in college. In fact, Robinson first won national attention as a halfback at UCLA from 1939-1941. He also played baseball, basketball and was a member of the college's track team.

" He's definitely a big inspiration to me," Simms said of his famous grandfather during an interview with the New York Times. "And I try to live up to him. But I think my grandfather has influenced me more as a person than as an athlete."

Simms continued, What he accomplished for mankind was even greater than what he accomplished in sports. And I know I can't duplicate what he did. But he was Jackie Robinson, my grandfather. And I'm proud of him. But I'm Jesse Simms, and I think I've established my own identity."

Simms, who plays inside linebacker, offensive guard, tight end and fullback, is the son of Sharon Robinson and her ex-husband Robert Simms.

Ms. Robinson told the newspaper that her son never played much baseball. "I think he felt the pressure to do well. Even when he was 5 years old we'd hear comments like, 'Hit it like your grandfather, or 'That's Jackie Robinson's grandson' And the comments came from adults," she recalled.

Simms told the Times: "There was never any pressure from my family to play baseball. But when I was in Little League a lot of the other kids expected me to be this amazing player. As it turned out, I just wasn't terribly interested in baseball and got to like tennis, soccer and basketball much more before I turned to football."