Roller Derby Ronnie Robinson

Ronnie Robinson

Personal information
Nationality	American
Born	(1939-09-25)September 25, 1939
Died	April 2001 (aged 61–62)
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg)
Sport
Sport	Roller derby
Team	New York Chiefs Chicago Westerners Brooklyn Red Devils Northeast Braves San Diego Clippers Mexico City Cardenales New England Braves Chicago Pioneers Los Angeles Thunderbirds
Turned pro	1958
Retired	1974
Now coaching	1969–1972, 1975, 1991–1992

The son of boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, Robinson grew up distant from his father, who divorced his mother shortly before his birth. Sugar Ray advised Ronnie not to follow him into the world of boxing. After watching roller derby on television, he decided to join the sport, and enrolled in its training school in March 1958, initially under the pseudonym "Ronald Smith." He turned professional after five months, being placed on the New York Chiefs team.

Robinson was the fourth African American to play roller derby professionally, after Maurice Plummer, George Copeland, and Darlene Anderson. He was a member of the All-Star team for more than ten consecutive years, and was twice named the Most Valuable Player. On one occasion, Robinson fractured his arm in several places, and was unsure whether he would ever be able to use it again. He also lost his front teeth in a fight with Bob Woodberry, and suffered several concussions.

In 2004 Robinson was inducted to the Roller Derby Hall of Fame.