UCLA retires Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 across all sports

Jackie Robinson's No. 42 is now painted on both sides of UCLA's midfield logo at the Rose Bowl.

Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 is now painted on both sides of UCLA’s midfield logo at the Rose Bowl. The number has been retired across all Bruin sports.

UCLA has retired Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 across all sports, honoring the former four-star athlete and civil rights pioneer 75 years after he first enrolled as Bruin.

The school announced the news between the first and second quarters of UCLA’s rivalry game on Saturday against USC. The No. 42 was also painted on both sides of the midfield logo at the Rose Bowl, and adorned the Bruins’ helmets.

“Jackie Robinson established a standard of excellence to which people the world over should aspire,” said athletic director Dan Guerrero. “On the 75th anniversary of Jackie’s arrival at UCLA, we want to ensure that his is a legacy to be upheld and carried forward by Bruins for generations to come.

“While he wore several numbers at UCLA, Jackie Robinson made the number 42 as iconic as the man himself. For that very reason, no Bruin will be issued the number 42 — in any sport — ever again.”

Robinson wore No. 28 as an All-American in football, and No. 18 as a conference-leading scorer in basketball.

Three UCLA athletes currently wear the No. 42: true freshman linebacker Kenny Young, softball utility player Jelly Felix, and women’s soccer defender Ally Courtnall. All three will be allowed to keep the number through their careers.

UCLA had also collectively named 22 athletic facilities in honor of the man who broke baseball’s color barrier, announcing on Friday the creation of the Jackie Robinson Athletics and Recreation Complex.