The O’Toole Chronicles: Know My Name

“You are going to know my name because you gave up on me…”

I was watching Real Sports on HBO, and the series was running a profile on Jalen Rose, one of the Fab Five college basketball players in the 1990’s at Michigan.  Jalen talked about growing up poor in Detroit with a loving and hard working mother who raised him.

Jalen’s father was NBA player (overall #1 draft pick), Jimmy Walker, who never acknowledged his son’s existence and never helped to support the family. Jalen discussed how his father’s absence fueled his desire to succeed- academically and in basketball. It was obvious during the show that Jalen still suffered from the ongoing hurt of this childhood neglect. The most poignant moment in the interview was when Jalen said (speaking about his father) “you are going to know my name because you gave up on me.” It does not get more powerful than that.

During the interview, Jalen talked about his only interaction with his father, watching him on the television. The father played 10 years in the NBA, wore Number 24 and was a two time All-Star selection. As Jalen tells the story, he wore the Number 42 just to spite his Dad. Interesting, despite no contact with his biological father, Jalen carried a single trading card of Jimmy Walker. The card gave him motivation and to some degree, street cred. Important to note, Jalen was an honor student and a star in the NBA. He played 13 years in the NBA and averaged 14 points, 3.1 rebounds and nearly 3.5 assists per game. By all measure, Jalen had a very successful career.

Jalen retired from professional basketball and he went on to become a television and radio analyst and broadcaster. He also owned a management and production company. More importantly, Jalen created something magical and special outside of basketball. Jalen always believed in Detroit and he lived his life willing and wanting to help this beleaguered city survive. For his entire life, Jalen was heavily involved in civic and charitable causes in his city. However, he truly left his mark when he created a Charter School in Detroit – Jalen Rose Leadership Academy High School.

The purpose and effort to create a charter is hard to sum up in words. The schools are built from the ground up and for success to be created; many hard obstacles first must be overcome. Jalen’s school is an amazing success story and this school has and will save hundreds of children who are now achieving their goals.  The student body is selected by lottery and is funded by local and state dollars. Jalen has given his own money and stays incredibly active in the school.  This school is a bright light in Detroit and many of the younger children have been given the name Jalen, as an honor to their benefactor.

Jalen is a modern day hero and role model for all of us. He isn’t giving up on Detroit and he isn’t giving up on the children.

We should all be brave enough to do a fraction of what Jalen and done. He makes the rest of us look like we are standing still. Who is the next Jalen Rose among us? This story can’t be told enough and I wish someone could have asked Jalen’s Dad, before he passed away in 2007, “Do you know his name now?”