You know I am one of ESPN's harshest critics. But I have to give credit when credit is due. I just finished watching their two-part documentary "Black Magic" and it was brilliant. (Sorry I am a slave to the DVR. I never watch anything on time anymore)
Even though I go by the moniker of "Sports Expert," deep down, I am just a person who loves sports just like you. I am also a young, Black male who. by the time I was on my way to a predominately white college (The Ohio State University), it wasn't a big deal to see a Black man walking around campus. I will be honest. I knew on some level about coaches like "Big House" Gaines, John McLendon and Ben Jobe, but I never understood their struggles. When I think of Willis Reed or Earl Monroe, my first thoughts are of the NBA not the historically Black college they came from.
What really stuck me with me, though, were the players that I had never heard of such as Cleo Hill, who was universally recognized as one of the greatest Black-college players of all time. Because of racism on the Saint Louis Hawks, he was black-balled from the league. Just imagine having a skill so great that you are one of the best in the world, but, because of the color of your skin, being denied a chance to showcase that skill. How difficult would that be?
When I heard about the great Bob Love, a player that my father admired, speak on his stuttering-problem and how his wife left him and took all of his possessions because she didn't want to be with a mute and a cripple. A knee injury forced him to retire. He moved me when he spoke of having to be a bus boy after 11-years in the NBA. How embarrassing and humiliating it was. His experience should make today's athletes think twice when they are complaining about being "under paid."
There are very many more stories from the documentary that I could write about. They are both inspirational, sad, and funny and sometimes all of those combined. But, I want you to watch "Black Magic" and draw your own conclusions.
It was truly an eye-opening experience for me. I feel as if I'm a better person for having watched it. There aren't many programs that one can say that about these days. I encourage everyone to watch it, if you haven't already, especially young athletes so they can better understand the basis for the opportunities they have today. Kudos to ESPN for bringing this to light.
I loved it. Great insight
This was off the chain.
thanks for bringing this to light
I was wondering if you guys were going to speak on this. It is definitely a must see
The one thing that suprised me was how they talked about John Chaney, and how he was one of the best players to never play in the NBA. I knew he was a great coach, but I never really knew he played before, let alone at such a high level. I also understand why the Harlem Globetrotters had to be started. It definitely showed why HBCU's don't get the same kind of talent they used to. It's almost like Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball and the Negro Leagues folding, or like the real reason why Lincoln stopped slavery, which was not out of the goodness of his heart but because of money.
I watched it and I loved it. everyone should watch
I heard about this Movie on the Stephen A Smith Show and I'm fortunate that I watched it. The documentary was a piece of our history that I wasn't fully aware of. I hope that ESPN releases is on DVD because I know many people that should be watching this. Plus I wish I could have seen John Chaney as a player because he was no joke as a Coach! Peace
Hey guys! You know what I think? I think that all written here is bullshit, real lie. They are making us believe it’s true, they are trying to express it like it was in reality. Don’t believe it if you are not insane! There’s nothing special in this site, they just express regular news with unusual words. They can make something shocking out of anything! Don’t trust them!
Hey guys! You know what I think? I think that all written here is bullshit, real lie. They are making us believe it’s true, they are trying to express it like it was in reality. Don’t believe it if you are not insane! There’s nothing special in this site, they just express regular news with unusual words. They can make something shocking out of anything! Don’t trust them!