Friday Inspiration: Jay Williams
From the State.Com:
About a year after being drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the No. 2 pick of the 2002 NBA Draft, (Jay) Williams was flung from his motorcycle when it smashed into a utility pole at 75 mph, seemingly ending his once-promising basketball career and almost killing him.
“It was hard, there were times when I thought about taking my life,” Williams said of his state after the accident. “I was on anti-depressants, taking OxyContin, and there were parts of my body that I couldn’t use anymore. The one word that could describe everything is the word ‘humble’.
Williams, who had just completed his rookie season in the NBA, suffered severe ligament damage to his left knee, nerve damage to his leg and a broken pelvis. Just days after the crash, Williams was told by his doctor that he would be lucky to walk again, and the damage required 13 surgeries in three months.”
Williams, a Duke University graduate, came back from his injury and attempted a comeback to no avail. Today, Williams works for 24 Hour Fitness and does the next best thing, speaking to young b-ballers at basketball camps and giving them the benefit of his hard earned experience. His message: stay in school and “you can do anything that you put your mind to.” Words to live by.
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- Paulo Coelho » The classic book 'The Alchemist' was my entrée to the world of Paulo Coehlo. Then, through Google Alerts, Paulo reached out to me to thank me for giving his book to my audiences. Now, we plan to collaborate on projects that inspire the world.
- African Sports Outreach International » "My Nike colleague and fellow soccer fanatic, Paul Goodrich’s program which provides uniforms, soccer match play and hope to youth in Southern and West Africa.
- Idea Sandbox » “Paul Williams is a former Starbucks creative and the founder of the Idea Sandbox, an international marketing firm specializing in better ideas through Remarkability, Creative Problem Solving, and Brand Building.”
- Priscilla McIntire » "Priscilla McIntire, formerly Priscilla Palmer, is a life coach specializing in personal development who I was introduced to through the blogosphere.
- Tom Peters! » Tom is the "uber-guru" of management and inventor of the enormous "management guru industry." I was introduced to Tom through his books and his article in Fast Company magazine, 'The Brand Called You.'
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