Allen Iverson: When the Levees Broke

Posted by Mason Jamal Friday, December 4, 2009

Real Talk. Our culture has a certain level of ambivalence when it comes to the sight of a man crying, let alone an athlete. Those psychologically stuck in the 1970’s, even if they were born in the 80’s, think it’s a sign of “softness”. Rest of us may squirm at worse, but at best we see it as a sign of the times; the emergence of a multi-dimensional man unafraid to show vulnerabilities.

Context matters though. Terrell Owens became inconsolable at a press conference a few seasons ago in response to media criticism of Tony Romo, his then quarterback. I think it’s fair to say that the public unanimously and rightfully regarded the occasion as puzzling and profoundly embarrassing, if not disturbing. His handlers should have broken it up - "nothing to be ambivalent about here; grown man wailing and weeping for no plausible reason; keep it moving folks".

But at yesterday’s presser for his return to the Philadelphia 76ers,... Click Here to Finish & See Video
Continued: But at yesterday’s presser for his return to the Philadelphia 76ers, Hall of Famer to-be, Allen Iverson had his own moment. The levees broke and the emotions flooded; the once unsinkable ego was submersed below sea level. In this case, the levies symbolize Allen’s bravado and chutzpah that normally prop up his posture and, like many men, wall him off from any public display of emotions. The tears were ones of recognition. After years of self-centered and, sometimes, self-destructive behavior, it appears that Allen has done some self-reflecting as he prepares to write the last chapter of his NBA career. And even though he’s come full circle to end his playing days in Philly, where he started, yesterday’s presser suggests that it’s more of a 180 for Allen.

Despite being lampooned for it by a particular syndicated morning show I heard this morning, I appreciated Allen for having sharing this moment. Because Allen is a public figure, whose transgressions have largely been public, it made sense that he has this public moment. For most men, however, ours are more private. But whether in front of an audience or in front of a mirror or our family, sometimes we have to let it go. The pain and angst we harbor will crush us if we don’t find a way to get from underneath it. One

Roll Tape




The Takeaways:

1.) There is nothing like coming home to make it right, as Allen appears to want to do in Philly. I hope my brother is reading this.

2.) Owning your bad decisions and choosing to change is the true measure of a man. I hope my son is reading this, a star high school athlete himself, who is in the process of “coming home”. I’ve cried with him.

4.) By the way, only a fool thought that Allen actually retired. That's why I didn't even touch on that. I tend to steer clear of the givens. They're too easy. I also refused to name this post "The Crying Game" or "NBA Bawler" - also too easy. I hope other bloggers are reading this.



, , , , , |

8 Comments

  1. Max Reddick Says:
    Posted on December 4, 2009 12:51 PM

  2. Yeah, I think it is finally hitting home. When he retired, I regretted that he was not allowed to retire on his own terms. After I career like that he had, the whole retirement thing was pretty anti-climactic. I was leaving in the Seattle are when Kareem Abdul Jabar decided to call it quits and was able to catch his extended going away party when the Lakers came to town, and he went out like a true champ.

    I just hope that in his final season, or seasons, he lets it all hang out so that the basketball enjoying public will really know what they have been missing.

     
  3. mrtramuel Says:
    Posted on December 4, 2009 1:13 PM

  4. Had not seen the full video, only soundbites & still pics. Watching it puts it into perspective for me.

    "After years of self-centered and, sometimes, self-destructive behavior, it appears that Allen has done some self-reflecting as he prepares to write the last chapter of his NBA career."

    I get a lump in my throat when I announce the visitors in church,no levee could have handled that much emotion.

     
  5. Mason Says:
    Posted on December 4, 2009 4:13 PM
  6. This post has been removed by the author.  
  7. Mason Jamal Says:
    Posted on December 4, 2009 4:14 PM

  8. Allen's problems are much of his own making so it's kind of hard to really feel too sorry for him. Nonetheless, I support the guy and wish him the best as he winds it down. I'll never forget the first game of the championship series against LA when he went into the Staples Center and took it to the Lakers like he owned the building. I really thought they would win the series after that. He put his team on his back and willed that win single-handedly, a true herculean performance. That was Allen, Mr. Bad-Ass with that killer cross over.

     
  9. sunnydelyte21 Says:
    Posted on December 9, 2009 10:40 AM

  10. I saw the press conference. It was touching to see him because the 76ers is where he belongs. He never look right in any other uniform or any other number than the Sixers Jersey and the #3. I'm glad he's back. Welcome Back A.I!!!!!!

     
  11. Anonymous Says:
    Posted on December 15, 2009 8:52 AM

  12. Cry me a river Iverson and I will still love you in your search for
    self. You are truly beautiful.

     
  13. Anonymous Says:
    Posted on January 8, 2010 4:57 PM

  14. Allen Iverson...
    Pound for pound, the most dominant offensive force in the history of professional basketball.

    We have always known that as a basketbal player Iverson had every tool necessisary to be star. To become the person who let his emotions show in such a profound manner, he had to develop as a man. Make no mistake, as a father he has never been anything but first rate. His friends know him to be honest, and loyal to a fault.

    It is his shortcomings socially from time to time and his isistance on being rebelious professionaly that has not allowed him to be universally liked or admired.

    The Bible passage that comes to mind here is: "When I was a child, I spoked as a child and acted as a child. When I became a man, I put childish things aside." Today, Iverson is the man that we wanted him to always be. Not the child who thought that a thug persona commanded respect.

    I have always been a fan of "AI" today I am a fan of Allen Iverson.

    Sorry that I am late with this comment, Mason.

    MarkL

     
  15. alicia banks Says:
    Posted on July 6, 2010 4:45 PM

  16. i love allen too

    and i think that no man is sexier than a man who is not afraid to cry...anywhere

    http://aliciabanks.vox.com/library/link/6a0123ddb39306860b0123de1e9916860c.html

     

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Mason Says updates via email. Enter your email address:

Delivered by Feedburner

You will receive a confirmation email from "Feedburner Email Subscriptions". Please confirm by clicking the activation link to begin receiving email updates. Thanks.

mason says social networks