It is always nice to hear what my Georgetown classmate and friend is up to, as
he continues to destroy the stereotype of Black men and the NBA. It was too bad we didn’t reconnect at our recent class reunion, but obviously he was tending to more important things…
Hoya Saxa!
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ATHENS, Greece — In his 19 seasons in the NBA, Dikembe Mutombo built a career based on denial. It was his job to deny opponents what they wanted most — namely, baskets — and it was a job that the four-time Defensive Player of the Year did very well, ending his career as the second most prolific shot blocker in NBA history.
But Mutombo has a different job these days. He’s more concerned about making sure people are not denied. Making sure everyone has the right to play sports. And that’s why the NBA legend is here in Athens for the Special Olympics World Summer Games.
“It’s such a great privilege for me to be sharing the stage with all these great athletes that have come from around the world to compete here in Greece,” Mutombo says. “We all know why we’re here. We’re here because we have the same goal and the same vision: to live in a world where we can share sports on the same stage, with everyone no matter our differences.”
While in Athens, Mutombo is taking part in Special Olympics’ Unity Sports program, a series of exhibition events that join people with and without intellectual disabilities to compete alongside one another on the field of play.
“I’m going to play in a basketball match,” Mutombo says with a smile. “I’m not going to score. I’m just going to try to play defense. I’m just going to try to block a few shots. I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be a great match.”
Mutombo believes that sports is a powerful vehicle in achieving social change and he has devoted much of his time since leaving basketball three years ago to fostering greater sports opportunities for all people around the world.
Full Story HERE.
The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and EURWEB.com. For the most recent posts of Mr. Mo’Kelly, visit https://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at [email protected].
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2 responses to “Dikembe Mutombo – Still Destroying NBA Stereotypes”
I appreciate uplifting and positive articles like this about black men particularly. So often we read in the papers about the crimes that so many commit but the positive attributes are ignored. Even with athletes, you hear about them falling to drug abuse or spousal abuse but rarely do you hear good stories like this one. Thanks, Mo!
What Lynn said…”ditto”