Jackie was influenced to be a leader mostly because of getting discharged from the army. This encouraged him because it was his first real casualty that he experienced from being an adult, which would make his situation a thousand times more painful and embarrassing. Even after gaining the rank of second lieutenant in the army, never really gave him much of a chance at becoming a leader because everybody with a lighter skin tone would think they’re better than him anyways. Another event that inspired Jackie Robinson, was when the president from a major baseball league team invited him to play ball- despite the hate that the team and himself would receive. This gave Jackie especially a push at becoming what he wanted to be- a leader. He was given an amazing opportunity that would give him not just the achievement of surviving harassment for absolutely no reason whatsoever, but also an experience that would change his life, and the others around him for eternity. Another person who inspired Jackie to continue not fighting back, was his wife, who had known him five years prior to their marriage. As stated by Rachel Robinson, “That was extremely important because we trusted each other and it helped us to bond during that time. There was such an incredible amount of pressure, it might have driven two people apart. But it had the opposite effect on us, it pushed us together." Without each other, Jackie may have not been able to deal with the situation himself. Everyone needs someone they can lay an arm on, even if it’s just temporary or long lasting.