Ever wonder how NBA players manage to play 82 games in a season, managing to leave their family behind and travel across the states, practicing and working out everyday? We may assume it’s obviously for the money, the love for the game, striving for greatness, or to be labeled a superstar. The one thing I know for certain is players like Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and many other NBA players are proud to be fathers. They cherish the moments when their kids become the spotlight during an interview, or watching theirs kids play at their own respective basketball game. No matter how much money they make or endorsements they have, those moments are priceless.
Allen Iverson was viewed as a gangster of the NBA, labeled an NBA thug because of his cornrows, and people he chose to hang around with, but what they never mentioned was Allen Iverson as a proud father. On the court he played his heart out, at home he showed endless love with all of his heart. If we follow by example the same work ethic these athletes put into their training and craft, and apply that same motivation into our jobs, education, and making better decisions, we will always and forever be great fathers.
I know I did not win something as valuable as an NBA ring , but in my eyes I won something better–a second chance. The CUNY Fatherhood Academy helped me obtain a High School Equivalency Diploma, which led me to the position I am in today, and that is 1 year and half away from graduating with a Bachelor’s in Human Services at New York City College of Technology. I am now on a path to provide a better future for my two daughters.
Being a father is better than shooting a buzzer beater to win a game. A father represents leadership, stability, love, and so much more. Our presence in our children’s lives presents comfort, encouragement, and most of all support. There are times in which some situations may seem like there is no hope, the struggle is too real, or the adjustment to fatherhood may be complicated, but we have to remind ourselves at the end of the tunnel there will be light. We understand that we are not perfect by any means, it’s just like how people talk bad about my New York Knicks, but I am still a fan and I still root for them. The same applies with our kids, they are our fans through thick and thin, and they cheer us on as we strive for greatness.
We might not be making millions and scoring 30 points a night, or be an all-world player like LeBron James, but one thing we have in common with LeBron James, is as fathers we make sacrifices so that we may become better role models, because in the eyes of our children we are the true superstars.
Fatherhood Chronicles 