![Picture](/uploads/1/2/4/1/12413962/799068578.jpg?158)
The NBA was very tough for Lloyd. On October 31, 1950 he got to start in his first NBA game as the first African American to play in a pro league with the Washington Capitols. He had to deal with many things, such as name calling from the fans, playing with his white teammates, and most importantly, not having a bad attitude. Holding his temper is what made Earl Lloyd such an amazing person. It is so hard to stand up to people calling you names, and not fall down. People compare Lloyd to Jackie Robinson, but Lloyd said athough they are nothing alike, Jackie Robinson was his idol. Earl doesn't like to be compared to Jackie because Jackie had been through much more than he had. With all that, Jackie had never lost his temper, which is also what made him so significant. Playing in the NBA, for Lloyd, was a huge commitment, but he would never let anything stand in his way. He loved basketball with a passion. Earl got to prove that no matter what your skin color, anyone has the potential to become a great athlete. All it takes is dedication and hard work, and Earl Lloyd had just that.