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Title: An old friend of mine comes back home Post by: Jamos on December 10, 2014, 06:33:33 PM Many years ago a friend of mine left Tuscaloosa in search of a childhood dream of his and recently I saw him for the first time since he left, crippled but still wearing that great smile of his. He told me the story of having found his childhood dream and how wonderful it was until a freak accident ended it all.
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20141209/NEWS/141209606/1015?Title=SPORTING-LIFE-Retired-Tuscaloosa-referee-Phil-Robinson-recalls-road-to-NBA Title: Re: An old friend of mine comes back home Post by: Chechem on December 10, 2014, 07:09:54 PM Quote On Jan. 30, 2010, Robinson injured his knee while officiating a game at Toronto. Surgery to remove part of his kneecap and re-hab followed, but in the end, doctors said his left knee couldn’t hold up to running up-and-down the court. Robinson retired from the NBA in 2011. On May 24, 2013, he was furthered sidelined by a stroke. He moved back to Tuscaloosa to heal and be close to his parents, Jerry and Judy Robinson. “I got to meet four presidents: Jimmy Carter, both Bush’s and Obama. The Secret Service let me sit next to Carter on a commercial flight. We talked about peanuts and Sunday school class. Both our dads were preachers,” said Robinson. “I was one of only 56 officials in the NBA. I shared the floor with some of the greatest players in history. For 21 years, I was gone for about seven months a year. I missed my family. It was hard, at times, but, if I had to do it all over again, I would.” ... #+ #+ Sounds like a wonderful guy, J. If there's a good person within 500 miles of Tuscaloosa, Jamos is known to be his friend. Give him our welcome, J. And we're happy for you too! :toast4: Title: Re: An old friend of mine comes back home Post by: 2Stater on December 10, 2014, 07:28:47 PM Excellent story! Sounds like a real class guy, J. #+
Title: Re: An old friend of mine comes back home Post by: Jamos on December 10, 2014, 07:53:37 PM The sad part about this story is the stroke crippled him more than the knee injury and he now wishes his lifestyle as a Ref had been a little different. He not only lost his health but his family as well and he admitted it was all his fault.
Title: Re: An old friend of mine comes back home Post by: Chechem on December 10, 2014, 07:55:56 PM The sad part about this story is the stroke crippled him more than the knee injury and he now wishes his lifestyle as a Ref had been a little different. He not only lost his health but his family as well and he admitted it was all his fault. Sounds like he needs a good friend for Christmas. You are the man. :worship: :worship: :worship: Title: Re: An old friend of mine comes back home Post by: 2Stater on December 10, 2014, 07:59:10 PM The sad part about this story is the stroke crippled him more than the knee injury and he now wishes his lifestyle as a Ref had been a little different. He not only lost his health but his family as well and he admitted it was all his fault. Sounds like he needs a good friend for Christmas. You are the man. :worship: :worship: :worship: ^^^This. Title: Re: An old friend of mine comes back home Post by: N.AL-Tider on December 11, 2014, 07:37:33 AM The sad part about this story is the stroke crippled him more than the knee injury and he now wishes his lifestyle as a Ref had been a little different. He not only lost his health but his family as well and he admitted it was all his fault. That is sad. Sounds like he needs lots of prayers and a positive attitude with a really strong support system around him and hopefully he will be just fine... Thanks for sharing that with us... #+ Title: Re: An old friend of mine comes back home Post by: pmull on December 11, 2014, 08:33:22 AM Small world Jamos. I know him or at least we had met. He played baseball at Livingston. He came in the year after I graduated. It is a sad story now but it sounds like he had a heck of a ride in his younger years.
Title: Re: An old friend of mine comes back home Post by: ricky023 on December 11, 2014, 10:51:39 AM May JESUS so fill him with Blessings from Heaven he just jumps up and shouts Roll Tide Roll! RTR!
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