We do this weird thing in sports, where as a player is on their way out, we enjoy poking fun at the aging process right up until they’re gone. Once retirement comes along, then we wax poetic on our fondest memories from throughout their career. We’re seeing it with Kobe Bryant in a basketball sense. A more devastating example, however, has been our treatment of Lamar Odom.
At the time of my writing this (just after 1:00 AM PDT), Odom is still fighting for his life in a Las Vegas hospital. Based on reports surrounding him, there’s no guarantee he’ll make it through the night. Man, I hope those reports are exaggerations.
In recent years, the jokes about Odom’s involvement with the Kardashian family have piled on each other. I get it, I guess. Well, no, actually, I don’t, but whatever. As I was saying, though, it’s really easy to poke fun at someone without having any idea what that person might actually be going through. It’s easy to look at Kobe and laugh at how inefficient he’s become as the years have come and gone. It’s easy to see the millionaire athletes struggling and crack jokes primarily out of jealousy. But what happens when the story becomes too real?
That moment came Tuesday night, when we found out in the middle of the game that Lamar was reportedly found unconscious in a Las Vegas brothel with “terrible stuff” oozing from his mouth. As the stories came in, the jokes weren’t far behind. Granted, it came from a vast minority, but it’s pretty typical of how too many people think of professional athletes.
For some reason we see the feats of physical prowess and equate that to superhuman ability in coping with emotions. It simply isn’t true. I feel ridiculous pointing this out, but athletes are human, too. And someone like Lamar, who’s dealt with enough personal tragedy for several lifetimes (here’s Dave McNenamin to sum that up), would need to be superhuman simply to continue pushing forward. Thing is: he has to this point. The stories of his bringing joy to peoples’ lives are innumerable, despite whatever he had going on in his life at that specific moment.
Look, I’m not trying to act holier than thou. That’s not what this is about. How you take in your entertainment is on you. It still doesn’t feel like too much to ask to consider those sacrificing their physical bodies and all too often their privacy as people as you do so. After Tuesday’s game, none other than Kobe showed up at Lamar’s hospital, which somehow feels artistically right. There is the athlete (Kobe) gathering beside the person (Lamar). There is the athlete (Lamar), fighting for his life, as the person (Kobe) sits there next to him.
I could go back and remember Lamar, the player, but it just doesn’t feel right. He’s so much more than that, and as he fights for his life, easily the most important sentiment is to send positive thoughts and prayers to Lamar, the man, and his friends and family.
Omar says
Real shit, man. Lamar has been through so much, losing a child, Father drama, the divorce. Yeah we’re Men but there’s only so much a man can do when depression hits humans tend to self medicate and not necessarily w/ drugs but it can be anything from eating too much sugar, drinking too much, risky behavior etc, it’s how the brain reacts to trauma… LO is a solider, he never backed down, just like I know subconsciously he’s giving it his best fight right now.
Let us pray.
J C says
Good to hear that Kobe went to see Lamar.
I’m glad someone found Lamar.
Hope it’s not too late.
I met Lamar on two separate occasions.
He was remarkably courteous and made me feel I was just like him.
He put on no airs — I mean none at all — of being famous or wealthy.
By all accounts he is a great guy and universally loved.
Hang in there Lamar!
Ken says
Lamar had a son who was about the same age as my own. Lamar’s died about 11 years ago. I sent Lamar a card of condolence care of the Lakers’ office. A few months later, Lamar replied with a simple thank you card.
This is just plain sad.
JeffT says
On occasion I have found myself doing google searches to find out how Lamar has be doing, and praying that he has turned his life around. What has happened here is scary for Lamar, and I am afraid he, again, has a pretty big hill to climb to get his life straight. He is a Laker for life, and I would love to see him sitting at the pre-game table with James, AC, and Horry, talking about the new batch of youngsters.
Robert says
One of my favorite LO memories, was the time I never met him. He was visiting my middle school at the time, and kids were lining up in the gym during lunch, to get a chance to shake his hand. This is back when he was a Clipper, before he was ever a Laker. My friends were so excited to get a chance to meet him, but I felt I was too proud of a Laker fan to stand in line, to meet a Clipper. I was also 12 and stupid. Afterwards, hearing all my friends talk about their interactions with LO, and how genuinely excited, and happy they were, that they met him, I felt immediate regret. I felt like I missed out on something cool. My favorite story, was how afterward, when his obligations to visit the school were over, he still stuck around for a little bit longer. Even as classes were back in session, he would walk along the hallways, and pop his head into classrooms just to say hi, and got a big kick out of the reactions he would get from all the kids inside. He’s a really good dude. Someone I wish I met when I had the chance to meet him, but even though I never even caught a glimpse of him that day, that memory has always stuck with me.
Tsig says
What else can be said? Hes brought me joy countless times as a fan. Can only try to imagine the burdens carried on those immense shoulders, and the weight on his gentle heart. Get well L.O.
T. Rogers says
Wishing the best for Lamar. He’s always come off as authentic on a world of make believe. I have family members who made the long journey back from the depths of addiction. I hope sometime down the line we will be able to say the same for Lamar Odom. Get well, brother.
rr says
Kupchak apparently went to see him as well. I hope that the org does some tangible stuff to help LO out.
KenOak says
I always loved LO the player and always felt really bad for LO the man. I think he’s a great person with a huge heart that has had to deal with so much heartbreak.
LKK says
I’ve always thought that when Lamar got traded to Dallas it crushed his spirit. Lamar really loved being a Laker and thought he had found a home. Folks always talk about being a pro and accepting that trades are part of the business and most players can deal with that. Although he had been traded before, I thought that being traded
P. Ami says
I called my two closest friends when I read the news on Twitter. It was my Celtics-fan buddy who called me back first. LO was involved in a small part of our lives that mean a lot to us all. My buddy and I have been catching Vines of Lamar and swung them back and forth on our phones, texting. My favorite is this one highlight from a summertime league where he Shamgods between the defender’s legs. Quick, long, smooth. Lamar is still quick, strong and smooth. He has heart and whatever happens, I know his heart is bigger than his pain is. I wish Lamar a speedy recovery. We only get his Vines but he has heart.
matt says
This story is crazy
Parrothead Phil says
LKK,
I have always thought the same thing about the trade. LO thought of the Lakers as his family and his home. Getting trade seemed to crush him. He was never the same player or person again.