Bo Jackson, Aretha Franklin and others honored at Civil Rights Game

The Rangers-White Sox game on Saturday extended beyond baseball -- it was a celebration of equal rights and those who've fought for them both inside baseball and out.

Prior to the seventh annual Civil Rights Game, the Major League Baseball Beacon Awards luncheon helped pay tribute to those heroes who fought for equality -- including soul singer Aretha Franklin and former NFL and MLB star Bo Jackson.

At the ballpark, ceremonies honoring Franklin and Jackson took place on the field before the game:

Several other pioneers including Negro Leagues pitcher Ernie Westfield, White Sox legend Minnie Minoso and Sharon Robinson were invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch:

And if all that wasn't enough, the hometown White Sox won in walk-off fashion, putting the perfect cap on an important and special day:

Click here for more awesome and moving photos from Civil Rights Day.