04/19/24
September 28, 2003
A tale of two brains this weekend from AP reporter Tim Dahlberg: Boxing has left Gerald McClellan with such devastating head injuries his friend Roy Jones Jr. won't visit until his career is over. DaVarryl Williamson, a 35-year-old with a master's degree, is pursuing a career in the ring.
>Few in the boxing community seem to care. Jones is traumatized by the thought of his brain-injured friend, but has said he won't go to see McClellan until his own career is safely over. This part stuck with me. Mostly because it doesn't surprise me. People who acquire/develop a disability in adulthood generally lose some/most/all of their friends. It's painful for the friends, but awkward for them, too, so they stay away. Many people have to re-hab with little support. And then it's hard to meet people not paid or volunteering to be with you in some formally recognised setting. Or at the very least, you meet people who have experience with people who have disabilities. McClellan arguably doesn't know, as someone was quoted, but perhaps his thoughts may be deeper than his verbal output shows; many people are like this after they have had a stroke. McClellan is young and healthy and has his sisters so he might have a better prognosis than someone twice his age.
posted by Philfromhavelock at 03:09 PM on September 29, 2003
Kevin Mitchell, one of the best writers there is, did a lengthy and brilliant piece on McClellan a couple of years ago. Worth reading whether you like boxing or not. Part 1 Part 2
posted by Fat Buddha at 03:25 PM on September 29, 2003
Sounds pretty tragic - I remeber seeing a McCellan fight many years ago and being impressed. This sport needs a union - too often these guys who come from nothing are returned to the same address after thorough exploitation. I know nothing is guarenteed in life, but they should be able to protect themselves from, of all people, themselves.