Heart and Soul

Hotep,

If you’ve had the chance to experience my Ball Til We Fall blog, then you should be more than familiar with the baller known as “Heart and Soul.” The reigning defensive player of the year placed second in the tournament M.V.P votes and came within one game of achieving his third tournament chip in five years.  At 5’8” and 158 pounds (immediately after a good meal), this lanky sensation defies all b-ball logic.  His will eclipses any physical shortcomings he may bring to the court.  Na mean?

I thrive on being the underdog.  I’m naturally drawn to others who exhibit the heart and soul of an underdog, like James Madison’s 5’7” senior point guard, Dawn Evans.  She suffers from a kidney disease known as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGs).  It’s the same disease that temporarily sidelined NBA ballers, Alonzo Mourning and Sean Elliott, but lil’ mama continues to break ankles on the court despite her physical setback.  That’s what’s up!

And, I gotta mention my girl Naima Adedapo.  Her display of heart and soul has given me a reason to watch this year’s American Idol competition throughout its entirety.  When she sang that Donny Hathaway joint, in the wild card round, I was convinced that she could change the game by winning American Idol.  It’s definitely a long shot, but the MannofStat is pulling for you Ma.  Ya heard?

My cousin Zay taught me firsthand how to defy life’s odds when a bullet sent him to the I.C.U in the spring of 1993.  Seeing Zay in that condition was devastating, to say the least.  He was far from being that big athletic, energetic cat from south Philly that I knew so well.  I mean I can’t front, I gave up on my man Zay.  My faith wasn’t what it should’ve been.  I was caught up in the physical and tried to make it easier for me to deal with what I thought would be the inevitable.  Na mean?

My Aunt Mary (R.I.P), Zay’s moms held onto her faith.  She kept saying that her son was responding to her voice, but the doctors attempted to diffuse her optimism with their science.  “It isn’t possible, he’s in a vegetative state,” they said.  Real talk.

Aunt Mary had a cassette player in Zay’s room.  She would play gospel music and just talk to him.  Needless to say, the underdog regained consciousness a short time later.  Now, I know it was wrong, but I would smuggle a Kool G Rap cassette into his room during my visits.  Zay and I were diehard Kool G Rap fans.  So you can imagine how I felt when I saw him using his left index finger emulating a maestro conducting a symphony orchestra, to the sounds of “Brotha On the Run.” It was at that point, I knew the underdog was on top.  Feel me?

Aunt Mary’s faith and the heart and soul of an underdog defied the logic of man, giving the Creator all of the glory. Ya heard?  I miss you so much Aunt Mary.  Your presence in this realm will always have relevance as long as I have a voice.  No doubt.  And to my man Zay, it’s been a minute Cuz.  Times have been hard all the way around for both of us, but you can never underestimate the heart and soul of an underdog.  Word is bond!!

One Love Dunn,  

MannofStat

Copyright © 2011 by Leroy Elwood Mann