Maurice Cheeks is Class Personified

[Wrestleknownothing]

I am old enough to remember when Maurice Cheeks was the head coach of the Portland Trailblazers and he came to the aid of a nervous 13 year old who won a contest to sing the national anthem before an NBA playoff game between Portland and Dallas. When she got nervous and froze up, Cheeks appeared at her side to help her get through the song and to get the crowd on her side.

 

The story came full circle last night, 22 years later, when the same woman sang the national anthem for Portland before their game against the Knicks, for whom Cheeks is an assistant coach. Maurice Cheeks is a wonderful person.

From The Athletic:

“That moment where I was standing there looking around, that felt like forever,” Zito remembered. “But then … he was just like there. Like, the second I turned over my shoulder, he was right there and he was like, ‘No, we’re not gonna do this … you’re gonna finish this song.’ ”

 

It became one of the most memorable and viral moments in national anthem history — Cheeks coaching her through the lyrics, one arm around her shoulder, the other conducting the sellout crowd to join in. She finished to a rousing ovation and melted into Cheeks’ chest.

“That’s a hard time in a young child’s life, where something like that happens on national television,” Zito said. “That moment really stuck with me.”

On Wednesday, the moment came full circle. With Cheeks on the sideline as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks, Zito stood at half court and belted out “The Star-Spangled Banner.” There were no hiccups, no pauses, just full-throated perfection.

[WrestlingRasta]

Love it.  I remember this.

[mspart]

Great story thanks.   I never knew this but it is heartwarming!!

mspart