Boseman and Thompson Icons for the Ages

 

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

Rarely have we seen 2 iconic figures come across in our lifetime that have transcended a culture of entertainment and sports like Chadwick Boseman and John Thompson. They both passed away this past week. Bozeman from colorectal cancer at the tender age of 43. Ironically, Boseman passed away the weekend as major league baseball was celebrating the man he portrayed in the movie 42, the life of Jackie Robinson.   

 

Thompson passed away this past Monday at the age of 78. His legacy at Georgetown University will never be matched. What he did for African American college athletes in every college sport, both men and women, cannot be understated. 

 

Chadwick’s work on the big screen, in his very short time, included portraying Thurgood Marshall the first African American appointed to the Supreme Court. Alongside of acting icon Kevin Costner, he played college football prospect Vonte Mack in Draft Day. His portrayal of James Brown in “Get on Up” is one for the ages. Black Panther set the bar for what African Americans can do in front of and behind the camera. The fact that he completed all of those movies and more, while battling that dreaded disease, showed his character and testament.

 

“Big” John Thompson, with a white towel draped over his right shoulder, was more than just a coach. Father figure, counselor and mentor, Thompson demanded accountability from not only his players but assistant coaches and faculty. He famously walked off the court right before a game against Boston College to protest the NCAA decision to deny scholarships to freshman under proposition 48. “I’ve done this because out of frustration, you’re limited in your opinion of what you can do in response to something I felt that was very wrong,” said Thompson. Georgetown went on to blow out Boston College 86-60.

 

 

Only his family and close friends new of Chadwick’s battle. It did not stop him from completing his projects. The rumor of Black Panther and all of the expectations could have determined the plight of movies made by African American film makers. The results and reviews were outstanding. Breaking box office records, it made $1.23 billion dollars worldwide, including $12.9 million internationally.  

 

Thompson, an imposing figure at 6’10”, had three of the most dominating centers in the history college basketball. Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo. They all went to have great professional careers. Perhaps, the most influential person Thompson impacted was the diminutive guard Allen Iverson. One of the most highly touted high school players in the country, Iverson was implicated in a bowling room brawl. He was sentenced to a 5-year prison term and after 4 months behind bars, Iverson was released by Governor Douglas Grant of Virginia citing insufficient evidence. Iverson’s mother implored Thompson to take a chance on her son. After his scintillating freshman season, Iverson decides to enter the 1996 NBA draft and was taken by the Philadelphia 76ers as the number 1 pick. Iverson was elected to the NBA Hall of Fame in 2016. In his exception speach, he said, “John Thompson saved my life.”

 

Chadwick Boseman and John Thompson had two totally different careers. Yet, the impact they made left a lasting impression. Not only among African Americans but of all Americans.