NBA Players Save Assistant Coach’s Life

Usually a story that happened seven years ago would not get much attention, but this story is an example of human kindness at its best, and the only reason it was not covered previously is because of the players desire to keep it quiet.

Former Los Angeles Clippers players Corey Maggette, Marko Jaric, Chris Kaman, and Elton Brand, paid for their then assistant coach Kim Hughes’ approximate $70,000 surgery for prostate cancer in 2004.

Hughes’ doctor wanted to do the surgery a few months after the diagnosis in September 2004 but Hughes wanted the surgery sooner because of the team’s schedule. The Clippers coach at the time, Mike Dunleavy, referred Hughes to another doctor for a second opinion and the physician told him he could do the surgery in a week.

Unfortunately, the physician was not under Hughes’ insurance plan, so if he chose to go with the new doctor he would have to pay for the surgery himself. Hughes’ agent apparently contacted the Clippers management about the issue with his medical coverage, but was informed that they would not cover the surgery for fear of having to do the same for others should the need arise.

Dunleavy told the players about Hughes’ situation and they took action with no hesitation. Hughes’ cancer was aggressive and if it were not for the surgery, he likely would not have survived. Hughes is crediting Maggette, Jaric, Kaman and Brand for saving his life.

The players felt that paying for the surgery was the right thing to do and did not do it for self-serving purposes. Their generosity truly gives new meaning to team effort.

The Success of Ex-NBA Player Jamal Mashburn

Jamal “Monster Mash” Mashburn should be the poster child of what to do with your life before, during and after a professional NBA career with such teams as the Dallas Mavericks, the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets.

Before Mashburn even signed his first professional basketball contract, he donated $500,000 to establish an endowment that awards high school students a full scholarship to attend the University of Kentucky where he went to college. Mashburn says every child deserves a chance to go to college, including those who are C-students who may not have otherwise had a scholarship opportunity.

Back in 1999, six years after Mashburn entered the NBA, he began seriously thinking about life after basketball. Not knowing how long he would be able to play or how long he wanted to play, Mashburn put his business plan in motion. He decided to step into the automotive industry and bought a Toyota and Lexus dealership from a single owner who wanted to sell at that time. Mashburn now owns a number of car dealerships in the Kentucky area.

In addition, Mashburn has ownership in over 70 restaurants. Some of these restaurants include more than 30 Outback Steakhouse franchises, over 25 Papa John’s Pizza franchises, and two Dunkin Donuts franchises.

Since Mashburn officially retired from the NBA in 2006, he has also worked as an analyst on ESPN.

Lorenzo Alexander’s A.C.E.S Foundation

Washington Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander is giving back in a major way with his A.C.E.S. Foundation whose mission is to support the youth by encouraging self-Accountability, pride in the Community, and Educational excellence while promoting a healthy mind and body through Sports.  Alexander started the foundation a few years ago in Oakland, California.

One of the programs A.C.E.S. offers include two-hour workshops to help students get through high school in addition to preparing for higher education. The workshops will assist students with college entry requirements, SAT preparation, test-taking strategies, scholarships/financial aid, and so forth.

In addition, there are Life Skill Accountability workshops that will provide students with the resources to live healthy lifestyles and make good life decisions. Some of the workshop highlights include health and nutrition, peer pressure, money management, and sports psychology.

Along with hosting its Third Annual Celebrity Bowling Benefit on March 26 in Albany, California, the foundation will also host the “Hold the Line” Youth Camp later this summer. This youth camp will be free to 150 kids, ranging in age from eight to 17.

For more information on the A.C.E.S Foundation, please visit http://acesfoundationabout.blogspot.com/.

Muhammad Ali Visits White Sox Spring Training

Muhammad Ali made a personal visit this week to the White Sox ball club during their spring training in Arizona to encourage the team to give back to the community. The legend started the Athletes for Hope organization in 2007 with other philanthropic athletes Andre Agassi, Alonzo Mourning, Lance Armstrong, Warrick Dunn and a few others. The organization aims to educate, encourage and assist athletes in their efforts to contribute to community and charitable causes as well as inspire others to do the same.

His wife, Lonnie, and Athletes for Hope CEO, Ivan G. Blumberg, who did a presentation about the organization, joined Ali.

It had to be a great honor to be in the presence of “The Champ.” Check out the video with Ali and the star-struck team! http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=13163373

CJ Watson’s Quiet Storm Foundation

Chicago Bulls point guard CJ Watson is the epitome of class when it comes to giving back to our youth. Watson, who studies psychology at the University of Tennessee during the off-season, loves working with the youth and believes in the importance of education.

Watson and family members started the Quiet Storm Foundation in Las Vegas, NV, in 2009, to provide educational and recreational opportunities for disadvantaged youth. The foundation aims to encourage children to read and develop the fundamental skills to help them become good readers and provide training to parents in family literacy programs. Additionally, they will distribute books to children to help them build their own personal libraries. They will also provide scholarships, field trips, education incentives, sponsor special events, and a host of other things for underprivileged youth.

The foundation will host the CJ Watson Annual Black History Month Essay Contest and Appreciation Luncheon on Saturday, March 12, 2011 in Chicago. This event will honor essay winners at three Chicago Public Schools as well as three winners at schools in the Clark County school district in Las Vegas. Please visit http://www.quietstormfoundation.com/ for more information about this event.

Do you know about a particular athlete’s charity or foundation? If so, please feel free to share it on my blog!

Brandon Jacobs: Father Figure

I am praising running back Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants for stepping in as a father figure for the children of incarcerated former teammate, Plaxico Burress. Jacobs was asked to spend time with Burress’ children, particularly Burress’ four-year old son, Elijah, who he thinks should have a man around to take the emphasis off of him not being there.

In an interview with the New York Daily News last year, Burress indicated that the most difficult part about being in prison is answering his son’s questions about his whereabouts. Burress also has a daughter who was born while he has been in prison.

Given the high number of households with absentee fathers these days, I think it’s a blessing that Jacobs is filling the void in the lives of these children. It is also a great thing that Burress thought enough of Jacobs to ask this favor of him.

Burress will be released from prison on June 6, 2011, after two and a half years of confinement.

DeSean Jackson: Tackling Bullies

It’s kind of comical to me that my first honorable mention is none other than DeSean Jackson, wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, who I love but chastised indirectly nonetheless during the season for getting too fancy instead of simply going into the end zone. DeSean, along with teammates Todd Herremans and Jamaal Jackson, surprised 13-year old Nadin Khoury on the February 3 episode of The View.

A group of teenagers bullied and beat Khoury last month in Philadelphia. Khoury did not sustain any major injuries after being stuffed in a tree and hung by the hood of his coat on a fence. All teenagers involved were arrested but it saddens me that only one person driving by—a woman at that—thought to get out and help him by chasing the boys away. Even after receiving the help, Khoury was the one to call 911 when he got home.

While telling his story on the morning talk show Khoury was surprised by his favorite athlete and had trouble holding back the tears. DeSean, noticing Khoury’s emotional moment, got up from his seat between Herremans and Barbara Walters and squeezed next to Khoury, comforting the brave young man. It was incredibly touching and impossible—at least for me—to keep the tears from flowing. DeSean told Khoury how brave he was and joked that he had two linemen that could help out if he had any problems again.

I am so proud of this wonderful display of kindness, especially to a child who has been bullied. I sincerely hope that this story will get more people to pay attention to the issue. After all, bullying is getting worse across the country and when people ignore it, they become part of the problem.

Kudos, DeSean!