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Ronnie Robinson (roller derby)
American roller derby skater From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ronnie Smith Robinson (25 September 1938[1] – April 2001[2]) was an American roller derby skater and coach.
The son of boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, Robinson grew up distant from his father, who divorced his mother shortly before his birth.[3] Sugar Ray advised Ronnie not to follow him into the world of boxing.[4] After watching roller derby on television, he decided to join the sport,[3] and enrolled in its training school in March 1958, initially under the pseudonym "Ronald Smith." He turned professional after five months,[5] being placed on the New York Chiefs team.[6][7]
Robinson was the fourth African American to play roller derby professionally, after Maurice Plummer, George Copeland, and Darlene Anderson.[8] He was a member of the All-Star team for more than ten consecutive years, and was twice named the Most Valuable Player.[5] On one occasion, Robinson fractured his arm in several places, and was unsure whether he would ever be able to use it again.[4] He also lost his front teeth in a fight with Bob Woodberry, and suffered several concussions.[5]
In 2004 Robinson was inducted to the Roller Derby Hall of Fame.[9]
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