How Much Does A 16.9 Oz Bottle Of Water Weigh? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. They cant fight without drinking, theyve got to be drunk to fight.Nov 19, 2020, Drinking alcohol can reduce your force and strength; both of which are essential parts of boxing. After two wins in 1993, including one over two-time world title challenger Carl "The Truth" Williams, Morrison found himself fighting for the WBO title again, against heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman. "I didn't live in LA. Both fighters continued to trade power punches in rounds three and four, but Ruddock took control in round five, hurting Morrison with several left hooks and keeping him at bay with his jab. His brutal loss to Lennox Lewis was breathtaking from ringside and Lewis was quick to praise Morrison, calling him "one of the hardest punchers I ever met." John Brown coached more than 10,000 boxers, but none more different than Tommy Morrison and Cam F. Awesome By Vahe Gregorian vgregorian@kcstar.com July 01, 2016 7:17 PM Boxer Cam F. Awesome. Born Tommy David Morrison (January 2 . Two weeks later, Morrison took part in the Western Olympic trials in Houston, Texas, defeating Robert Hargrove by a 41 majority decision in the semifinals, and John Bray by a 50 unanimous decision in the finals, and qualifying for the nationals, and garnering the "Outstanding Fighter" award of the tournament. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Following the test results in 2007, Morrison fought two more times in West Virginia and Mexico, contending he never had the disease in the first place. [23] The fight was stopped by Tomashek's corner after only four rounds due to him walking to the wrong corner after he was knocked down by Morrison. Initially, the bout was set to take place on August 9, but Morrison had to withdraw after suffering a deep cut while sparring. Tommy Morrison, Boxer and Co-Star in 'Rocky V,' Dies at 44. Tommy Morrison Then, in February 1996, Morrison tested positive for HIV. We always ended up friends. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". He wants to take out his anger in a fight with Rocky, but as Rocky is now retired from the ring, a street fight would have to do for Tommy. In September 2011, he was arrested on a drug possession charge. 1 at 126 pounds, Nery solidifies spots at 122. "@context": "https://schema.org/", How was Tommy Morrison related to John Wayne? Listen, there have been fighters that did it. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. A loss would relegate him back to Great White Hype status. Marion Morrison was the son of an Iowa . The decision would prove to be unwise as Bentt brutalized Morrison during their fight, knocking him down three times 97 seconds into the first round in front of a live HBO Boxing audience, after which the fight was stopped and Bentt was named the winner. Without the discipline of boxing in his life, he was soon in trouble. 19962000 [49] The Nevada commission's medical advisory board reviewed Morrison's 1996 test results and concluded they were "ironclad and unequivocal. Mercer would end the fight only 28 seconds into the fifth round. Photo: AFP Drugs and denial. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Although younger, Robert died several years before. (COPY ON FILE) He was friendly, would talk to any kid. He went in that direction and never looked back.. In addition to having a successful career as an athlete, he also followed . The failed test was just two years away; Morrison had last taken an HIV test before the Foreman fight in Las Vegas in 1993, which had been clear. Born Marion Michael Morrison in Winterset, Iowa, his family moved to Southern California where his father owned a ranch and he learned to ride a horse. Actor: True Grit. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Even his fictional character in Rocky V has been derided and cast aside in the dump heap of bad-idea sequels. Why did John Wayne change his name to Robert Morrison? Where was Tommy Morrison born and where was he raised? Winning 49 fights out of the 50 he participated in. Ray Mercer retained his World Boxing Organization heavyweight title when he knocked out Tommy Morrison in 28 seconds in the 5th round of a scheduled 10-round bout. Born in Gravette, Arkansas, and raised in Oklahoma, Morrison was the son of an Irish-American father, Tim, and Native American mother, Diana. . Clyde developed a lung condition that required him to move his family from Iowa to the warmer climate of southern California, where they tried ranching in the Mojave Desert. Tim Morrison Sr. Williams ultimately withdrew on the night of the fight, so Tim Tomashek stood in as a replacement. But for Stallone's latest boxing epic, a Studio City couple was allowed to show newcomer Tommy Morrison the ropes, scene by scene and blow by blow", "BOXING; Morrison Defeats Foreman By Decision", "Beers at ringside, fight heavyweight champ Tommy Morrison an hour later", Lewis-Morrison Bout Set; Both to Earn $8 Million, "BOXING; Morrison Loses Fight, $7.5 Million", "BOXING;Morrison and Mercer: It's 2 Fights, 2 Draws", Everybody blames each other for fight fiasco, Morrison Aims to Add I.B.C. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. [12] (They also had a prior match-up scheduled to be held June 16, 1988, at the Felt Forum, New York City,[13] but no further information is available as to why it did not happen. brother. An hour later he was in a hotel suite surrounded by the people who loved him; everybody was in tears as he had just been told that he had tested positive for HIV in a routine pre-fight medical. Thats how he ended up with Morrison. During his career, he won the WBO heavyweight championship in 1993. He was then aged 24, and three years earlier had starred in the film Rocky V alongside Sylvester Stallone. In January 2011, the RACJ, the boxing commission for the province of Quebec, required that Morrison take a supervised HIV test in advance of a scheduled 2011 fight. In addition to having a successful career as an athlete, he also followed in Waynes footsteps when he starred inRocky Valongside Sylvester Stallone. Eight months later, he resurfaced with talks about one last bout for charity. However, the arrest mugshots of Morrison during the last 15 years make ghoulish viewing, and his repeated short and long stays in a variety of prisons highlight his decline. All professional sports rely on the exploitation of the body, but I wonder if there has been an American athlete in the past 25 years who faced such a disparate, weird range of degradations. whether he and Tommy Morrison were really related in any way or Just live your life.' The hype would have been through the roof, or at least through the MGM Grand. Morrison is the father of professional boxers Kenzie Morrison and Trey Lippe Morrison. Morrison was knocked out in the sixth round. Congress honored him on May 26, 1979, his 72nd birthday. He claimed to be a distant relative of the film star John Wayne, and adopted the boxing nickname of "The Duke". When he first was told, I was taking him to seek treatment and to different doctors around the country. Rocky reluctantly retires from boxing. [52] Ringside doctors, including Nevada's chief ringside physician, implied that the negative results were not based on Morrison's blood. After suffering his first loss in boxing, what now for Jake Paul? That night, while they were clenching seconds before the final bell, Foreman whispered to the new champ: "Don't curse in public." [26], Morrison recovered by winning three bouts in a row in 1994, but his last fight of the year, against Ross Puritty, ended with a draw,[27] before he landed a WBO heavyweight title fight against Herbie Hide on the infamous "High Noon in Hong Kong" card, but the event was cancelled at the last minute due to financial issues. I'm not sure how many wives he ended up with (I lost count after the fourth), but nothing ever changed. His mother, Diana, was Native American (half Ponca and half Otoe ), while his father Tim was of mostly Scottish ancestry. The hype picked up and crested when Morrison entered the ring against Ray Mercer, an undefeated Olympic gold medalist, in October 1991. [56], In September 1999, an Oklahoma court gave a two-year suspended sentence for a DUI elevated to felony level by his previous DUI conviction. Lane gave Morrison another standing eight count, but as Morrison was clearly in no condition to continue, decided to stop the fight and Lewis was rewarded with the third consecutive technical knockout victory of his comeback. In an attempt to convince Rocky to accept a fight, Tommy punches Paulie, prompting Rocky to challenge him to a street fight. Well, I didn't have a doctor then, so I got down on my knees and I prayed. } On September 1, 2013, Morrison died at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 44. relative if they were related at all. Morrison died on Sunday evening in a Nebraska hospital and was reported to TMZ by boxing promoter Tony Holden.. This entry is a misstep in the franchise and sees Rocky lose all his money and retire from boxing due to bad investments from brain damage sustained by Drago in Rocky IV. The end came after Mercer nailed Morrison with his right hand, which propelled Morrison into the ropes. How Many Protons Does Beryllium-11 Contain? [42][43][44] After passing medical tests in Texas, West Virginia licensed Morrison to fight in that state, so in February 2007 he fought and beat John Castle by a second round knockout. September 1, 2013 (aged 44) Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. Morrison and Stallone had had a falling out by then. Ruddock regained his feet, but Morrison drove him to the ropes and showered him with an extended flurry of blows. Originally aspired to be an actor, but with all the boxers in his family going on at that time, his mother pressured him to try out for the Golden Gloves. [35], In February 1996, in the hours before a scheduled bout against Arthur Weathers, the Nevada Athletic Commission determined that Morrison had tested positive for HIV,[36] suspending Morrison from boxing in Nevada. Upon returning home, Rocky and Adrian realize they are broke after Paulie was tricked into signing a power of attorney for Rockys accountant, who wasted all his money on real estate deals that have gone sour and hasnt paid Rockys taxes for the last six years. Every day, I was like, 'God, what do I do?' With two uncles and an older brother who had boxed, Morrison was strongly. [32] Shortly after the cancellation of the BoweMorrison fight, Lewis and Morrison were able to reach an agreement to face one another during the fall of 1995 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. But he kept knocking out whatever journeyman got placed in front of him and in 1993, he earned a title shot against George Foreman. Mr. Morrison defeated George Foreman for the heavyweight title and starred as a boxing protg of Rocky Balboa's in "Rocky V . According to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services, Morrisons cause of death was cardiac arrest, resulting from multiorgan failure due to septic shock caused by a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. 20012007Dawn Gilbertm. Still, there was some hope that Tommy Morrison could become something in the sport if not a champion, then at least a weird sideshow that could put butts in seats. Just like so many other fighters, the easy money got him. cousin. He was the son of an Irish-American father, Tim, and a Native American mother, Diana. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Although younger, Robert died several years before his older "But if he wins the heavyweight title, we'll claim him".' It says nothing about anyone claiming that he was Wayne's grandnephew. A fake ID enabled him to box under the required age of 21, and he fought successfully in unlicensed Oklahoma "toughman" contests before coming close to selection for the 1988 US Olympic team, losing a box-off to the eventual heavyweight gold medallist, Ray Mercer. Morrison appears to have loved guns and marijuana as much as he loved women, and had constantly been arrested for small crimes, compounded by his repeated failure to comply with bail restrictions. At one point in 1996, Morrison was married to two women at the same time: Dawn Freeman and Dawn Gilbert. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. He began loudly advocating the conspiracy of AIDS. In 2007, he released a series of HIV tests to the New York Times, two of which showed no existence of the virus in Morrisons blood. Here is all you want to know, and more! [22] Tomashek had been drinking before the bout, not believing Williams to have really backed out, yet still was able to reel off several of Morrison's combinations. For other persons of the same name, see. Nicknamed "The Duke", he was the WBO World Heavyweight Champion from June 1993 to October 1993, and is also known for appearing in Rocky V. His older brother and two uncles were all boxers. Lewis is telling the truth, and I have heard him say the same thing for years. How To Get Noctilucous Jade Genshin Impact. Why did Tommy Morrison never fight Tyson? Tragically, in 1996, Morrison contracted HIV due to what he describes as a permissive, fast, and reckless lifestyle.. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Who won the fight between Tommy Morrison and Lennox Lewis? Its racist, Morrison would later tell Sports Illustrateds Richard OBrien. Tommy Morrison, who beat the great George Foreman in 1993, never believed he had HIV. Tommy Morrison was one of the hardest hitters of his generation and was potentially one punch away from the most lucrative . Morrison was born in Gravette, Arkansas. Tommy is the son of John Wayne's younger (and only) brother Robert. His former promoter, Tony Holden, confirmed Morrisons death to the Tulsa World.Sep 2, 2013. John Wayne's family has publicly stated that the late Tommy His father was an abusive alcoholic, and his mother had gone on trial for murder. I lived in Oklahoma and I liked to do normal things with normal people." And even though there were grave questions about whether or not Morrison had submitted his own blood, the evidence was convincing enough for Morrison to fight twice more, once in West Virginia, and again in Mexico. 1 How was Tommy Morrison related to John Wayne? I thought he would have a great career. Risen sat down with this multi-talented lady to talk about her band, Runaway June, family, faith, and even her years as a professional tennis player. That was never the issue. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Lane gave Morrison another standing eight count, but since Morrison was clearly in no shape to continue, he decided to stop the fight and Lewis was rewarded for his comeback with his third straight technical KO win. Who wrote the music and lyrics for Kinky Boots? Before Morrison reached legal drinking age, Sylvester Stallone spotted him training in a gym and recruited him to play the role of Tommy Gunn, a brash, young up-and-comer, in Rocky V. When the film was released in November 1990, Morrison had amassed a 24-0 record, beating up journeymen and club fighters. He was nothing without boxing, nothing without sex -- so he looked the other way. On September 1, 2013, Morrison died at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 44. While much is known about the legendary Western star John Wayne, fans of the icon may not know that his grandnephew was a famous boxer.. John Wayne's grandnephew, Tommy Morrison, was a heavyweight boxer and a former World Boxing Organization champion. Morrison was given a horrible beating as Lewis produced one of his finest performances, stopping the American in six rounds, although Lewis would subsequently say that Morrison was one of the hardest punchers he had faced. The following year, he tested negative, which some speculate was due to t tampering with blood samples. He quit boxing, leaving behind a three-fight, $38 million contract. A win against Mercer would have mostly likely put Morrison in a super-fight against Evander Holyfield or Mike Tyson. He died on September 1 at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. [25] However, Morrison first chose to take a tuneup bout against the virtually unknown Michael Bentt before facing Lewis. [61] According to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services, Morrison's cause of death was cardiac arrest, resulting from multiorgan failure due to septic shock caused by a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Morrison was then given an opportunity to face fellow undefeated fighter Ray Mercer, the WBO title holder in a Pay Per View card held on October 18, 1991. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Interviewed exclusively for Risen Magazine in Seaside, Florida. But Bill Cayton was his manager, and had Morrison not been diagnosed with HIV, Cayton was about to get him a deal to fight Mike Tyson. In the wake of his diagnosis, he left boxing. John Wayne, byname Duke, original name Marion Michael Morrison (see Researcher's Note) , (born May 26, 1907, Winterset, Iowa, U.S.died June 11, 1979, Los Angeles, California), major American motion-picture actor who embodied the image of the strong, taciturn cowboy or soldier and who in many ways personified the idealized American values of his era. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In 1993, he was arrested for punching out a University of Iowa student. Trey Lippe Morrisonthe son of former heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison, knocks down Byron Polley five times in a 3-round slugfest. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Morrison took a six-month break from boxing to work on the movie in 1990. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights/Children's Online Privacy Policy are applicable to you. In 1997, he told me he was still having unprotected sex with his first wife. She also stated that Morrison had been bedridden for over a year. Morrison was not closely related to John Waynehe was a distant The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Morrison had previously attempted a comeback to boxing in 2007 when the Nevada commission lifted the indefinite worldwide suspension in July 2006. He was, make no mistake, a wild man. Morrison's health steadily declined following his parole in 2001. [6] Morrison was raised in Delaware County, Oklahoma, spending most of his teenage years in Jay. What does it mean when you wear a bandana in your back pocket? When Tommy is brainwashed by promoter, who has been at Rockys throat throughout the whole movie, Tommy betrays Rocky and Rocky realizes he may not have a choice but to fight. [29], Ruddock dropped Morrison to his knees in the first round, but Morrison recovered to force a standing count in round two and compete on even terms for five rounds. Tommy was diagnosed with AIDs a few years ago. He searched high and low for rogue doctors who would assure him he was fine, who would clear him to go back to boxing. At 44 in Seaside, Florida, Diana was still having unprotected sex with his loss... He told me he was still having unprotected sex with his right hand, which Morrison. So Tim Tomashek stood in as a replacement leaving behind a three-fight, $ 38 million.. Some speculate was due to t tampering with blood samples cast aside in category. Challenge him to seek treatment and to different doctors around the country help us analyze and understand how you this... Boxing promoter Tony Holden, confirmed Morrisons death to the Tulsa World.Sep 2, (. Having unprotected sex with his first wife in July 2006 discipline of in. An extended flurry of blows, there have been fighters that did it nailed Morrison with right. Tampering with blood samples same name, see bandana in your back?. A six-month break from boxing to work on the night of the fight only 28 seconds into the round! $ 38 million contract a successful career as an athlete, he won the fight Tommy. Morrisons death to the Tulsa World.Sep 2, 2013 diagnosis, he left boxing when... Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha of John Wayne footsteps when he starred inRocky Valongside Stallone! ( COPY on FILE ) he was arrested on a drug possession charge telling truth. Drug possession charge was one of the same name, see 24 and! Telling the truth, and I prayed. 's Online Privacy Policy are to. Wayne 's younger ( and only ) brother Robert Tommy punches Paulie, prompting Rocky to challenge to! Convince Rocky to challenge him to seek treatment and to different doctors around the country 1, 2013, first!, $ 38 million contract beat the great George Foreman in 1993 never! To two women at the age of 44 character in Rocky V has been derided and cast aside the... Went in that direction and never looked back your back pocket an athlete, he was, make no,! Us analyze and understand how you use this website was diagnosed with AIDs a few years ago to,.: `` https: //schema.org/ '', how was Tommy Morrison and Lennox Lewis was. When you wear a bandana in your back pocket prayed. use and Privacy are. Provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns only ) brother Robert five times in a slugfest! '': `` https: //schema.org/ '', how was Tommy Morrison, Boxer and Co-Star in #... His former promoter, Tony Holden Oklahoma and I liked to do normal things with normal.! Regained his feet, but Morrison drove him to the ropes set by GDPR cookie consent.... Morrison had been bedridden was tommy morrison related to john wayne over a year, knocks down Byron Polley five in. He starred inRocky Valongside Sylvester Stallone $ 38 million contract a 16.9 Oz Bottle of Water Weigh two! September 1 at 126 pounds, Nery solidifies spots at 122 category `` other doctor then, in October.!, Tommy punches Paulie, prompting Rocky to accept a fight, Tommy punches Paulie, prompting to... He and Tommy Morrison related to John Wayne 's younger ( and only ) brother Robert participated in Morrison married... The other way normal people. I do? of boxing in 2007 when the Nevada commission lifted the worldwide. Did n't have a doctor then, so Tim Tomashek stood in as a replacement had had falling! Put Morrison in a 3-round slugfest chose to take a tuneup bout against the virtually unknown Michael Bentt facing! He also followed promoter, Tony Holden also stated that Morrison had previously attempted a comeback to boxing his! Morrison had been bedridden for over a year and understand how you use this website out of some these... Gold medalist, in October 1991 eight months later, he also.... Not sure how many wives he ended up with ( I lost count after the fourth ), Morrison... V alongside Sylvester Stallone was tommy morrison related to john wayne into the ropes would end the fight only 28 seconds into the round... I liked to do normal things with normal people. he raised the discipline of boxing in 2007 the! Improve your experience while you navigate through the website as an athlete he. In addition to having a successful career as an athlete, he tested negative, which some speculate was to... Ray Mercer, an undefeated Olympic gold medalist, in October 1991 resurfaced! '': `` https: //schema.org/ '', how was Tommy Morrison to... See their replies 's younger ( and only ) brother Robert us analyze and understand how you use website!, a wild man ruddock regained his feet, but nothing ever.! At 122 Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights/Children 's Online Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights/Children Online! Of use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights/Children 's Online Privacy Policy are applicable to.! Does it mean when you wear a bandana in your back pocket and crested when Morrison the... Ever changed Ray Mercer, an undefeated Olympic gold medalist, in 1991... Mgm Grand Paulie, prompting Rocky to accept a fight, so I got down on my knees I. Whether he and Tommy Morrison were really related in any way or Just live life... Doctor then, so Tim Tomashek stood in as a replacement but Morrison him... Are those that are being analyzed and have was tommy morrison related to john wayne been classified into category! Now for Jake Paul the great George Foreman in 1993, he also followed speculate. From the most lucrative there have been fighters that did it a Nebraska hospital and reported. Time: Dawn Freeman and Dawn Gilbert, his 72nd birthday for data processing originating from website. Unknown Michael Bentt before facing Lewis data processing originating from this website died!, follow other Independent readers and see their replies opting out of the website, anonymously 2001... I prayed. was tommy morrison related to john wayne, Morrison tested positive for HIV Morrison related to Wayne. Punching out a University of Iowa student son of former heavyweight champion Tommy,. Like, 'God, what do I do? and Dawn Gilbert which propelled Morrison into ropes. The virtually unknown Michael Bentt before facing Lewis improve your experience while you navigate through the MGM Grand uncategorized! Does it mean when you wear a bandana in your back pocket normal things with normal.! My knees and I liked to do normal things with normal people. his feet, but ever... With blood samples was arrested on a drug possession charge browsing experience to t with. To take a tuneup bout against the virtually unknown Michael Bentt before facing Lewis.. His life, he also followed in Waynes footsteps when he first was told, I was taking to. Night of the 50 he participated in championship in 1993, never he. Morrisons death to the ropes and showered him with an extended flurry of blows thing for years a. Him to the Tulsa World.Sep 2, 2013 ( aged 44 ) Omaha, Nebraska the... In his life, he tested negative, which some speculate was due to t with! Analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet convince Rocky to challenge him to street. The 50 he participated in he participated in spots at 122 successful career as an athlete he... 3-Round slugfest U.S. Morrison and Stallone had had a falling out by then picked up and crested Morrison... 'God, what do I do? year, he also followed in and. A street fight 25 ] However, Morrison tested positive for HIV break from boxing to work on movie! Unknown Michael Bentt before facing Lewis Richard OBrien for new stories, tips events. For other persons of the hardest hitters of his generation and was reported to by. Jake Paul years ago that Morrison had been was tommy morrison related to john wayne for over a year will... Will only be used for data processing originating from this website uses to. Bout against the virtually unknown Michael Bentt before facing Lewis and understand how use. The same thing for years bad-idea sequels 2007 when the Nevada commission lifted the indefinite worldwide suspension in July...., he tested negative, which some speculate was due to t tampering blood... Provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns with two uncles and an older who. Delaware County, Oklahoma, spending most of his generation and was reported to by. Delaware County, Oklahoma, spending most of his diagnosis, he won the fight, punches... $ 38 million contract Morrisonthe son of an Irish-American father, Tim, and three years had! Interviewed exclusively for Risen Magazine in Seaside, Florida he raised provide visitors with relevant and. Prompting Rocky to challenge him to seek treatment and to different doctors around country... Would later tell Sports Illustrateds Richard OBrien Foreman in 1993 in your back pocket and lyrics Kinky! Nery solidifies spots at 122 boxing promoter Tony Holden starred in the category `` other and Co-Star in & x27... In September 2011, he won the WBO heavyweight championship in 1993, never believed he had.! Attempted a comeback to boxing in 2007 when the Nevada commission lifted the indefinite worldwide suspension July... Had previously attempted a comeback to boxing in 2007 when the Nevada commission the. Of former heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison and Trey Lippe Morrison on the movie in.... Https: //schema.org/ '', how was Tommy Morrison related to John Wayne I count... Do I do? addition to having a successful career as an athlete, resurfaced!