First lady Michelle Obama introduced the stars of the Jackie Robinson biopic 42 at the White House.
On April 2, she brought local high school students to the White House for a conversation on the late baseball superstar. Obama, who was clearly inspired by the film, noted that “You have to pick yourself up when somebody knocks you down,” a lesson that underscores the legacy of Mr. Robinson.
The new film 42 tells the true story of Jackie Robinson’s rise to the major leagues in the late 1940’s.
Chadwick Boseman stars as the main character, whose number– the film’s title– was eventually retired in all of the major league teams. Oscar nominee Harrison Ford appears in the film as Branch Rickey, the Brooklyn Dodgers team executive who supported Robinson’s rise to be the first African-American in the majors.
Boseman, Ford and screenwriter/director Brian Helgeland were accompanied at the White House by Rachel Robinson, Jackie Robinson’s widow who served as an adviser on the film.
Check out some of the pictures below of the event featuring Obama, Helgeland, Boseman, Ford, Mrs. Robinson and a White House aide who asked questions of the panel.
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