Legacy

Legacy
Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past is how Merriam-Webster defines the word Legacy. No other word in sports is more important than legacy. “How will this or that effect his legacy?”, that’s all the casual sports fan cares about. While on my way to my night summer class last week, my dad and I were tuned into the end of Mike Francesa—like we frequently do. But, a caller called in asking about Lebron James’ legacy and how it compares to Michael Jordans’ and others. Nearing the end of the ride over my dad said something that he says maybe once or twice a year… “I agree with you Mike!”. This after Francesa said something along the lines of “I don’t get all these Ludacris comparisons, Lebron has two rings already”. That got me thinking about the word Legacy and how it effects sports for the good and the bad.
The good is obvious, you look at how great or terrible a player is during his time in the respective league. The legacy of the greats gets argued and discussed on sports radio and barbershops across the country. Legacy drives conversation in press rooms after the big game. However, the bad may damage the world of sports more than people think. The current sports media is more concerned about a players’ legacy in the here and now rather than the year that player retires. No player is more subjected to this more than Lebron James. James has been under the lime light since he was a junior in high school—labeled “The Chosen One” before his high school graduation. James was compared to Jordan before one shoe even touched a NBA court. Now what Lebron has been able to do with all this legacy talk during his career is absolutely incredible, but the talk is still there. Brain Windhorst a NBA writer for ESPN owes his whole professional career to James. It seems that Windhorsts’ whole job is to follow Lebron everywhere (with a few NBA articles not about James sprinkled in). Windhorst is the first person ESPN turns to when something Lebron happens.
Another reason why I am thinking about is because of Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali passing last night due to his thirty-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. Ali is the Greatest of All-Time. Now that is not something thrown around lightly at all. Ali he was than guess what… he proved he was. Cassius Clay is probably the most charismatic athlete of his time and history itself, with his own quotes ringing through fans heads like Yogi Berra’s “Yogisms”. Ali every time he stepped into the ring was the most feared man and for a reason. A great quote from Joe Frazier brings justice to why everyone was so fearful of Ali “Man I hit him with punches that would bring down walls of a city”. Boxing has not nor ever will be the same as when Ali stepped into the ring. With fights like “The Rumble in the Jungle” against George Foreman in Africa, or “The Thrilla in Manilla” against Joe Frazier in the Philippines. Fights I have only seen highlights of and stories about from my uncle and dad. Tyson, nor Frazier, not Pacquiao or Mayweather compete with Ali in the ring. Mohammed Ali knew he was better than you and also knew that you were thinking that as he approached the ring.
If you want to talk about legacy start appreciating greatness while they are still in the game. Legacy is to be talked about when the person is retired or in Alis’ unfortunate chase when they have passed. Legacy should not be the end of the conversation about a players career it should be the start of something that brings back memories and creates new one in the minds of kids. Legacy is not defined about how many rings you have, how many knock outs you have, or how many game winners you had during your time, it’s also not about the hate but the greatness of the individual. So let me say something I don’t say often “I agree with you Mike!”
Rest in Paradise to the Great One Muhammad Ali
Sources:( Merriam-Webster, espn.com, New York Daily News, New York Times)

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