
Originally Posted by
David Rosado
Hey man, sometimes legends turn out to be douches. Like Michael Jordan. It doesn't change what they've done. Their accomplishments will always exist. Their reputation doesn't need to be protected by anyone but themselves. I'll always appreciate that the Gracies brought BJJ to the masses, but the more we find out about them.....well, yeah. I appreciate that they brought BJJ to the masses. LOL.
Being from Chicago and reading nearly every story in existence about the Chicago Bulls, I couldn't agree more about Michael Jordan. I had a chance to talk to Sam Smith, the Bulls.com journalist not the singer, a guy that wrote a book on the '91 Bulls that was a NY Times bestseller. His whole thing was that he's witnessed the evolution of Jordan and witnessed his growth as a more closed-off individual. One thing of his that I agree with is the sense that we should respect people and admire their accomplishments, but shouldn't put it in the same category as a human being or character. For example, Marcelo would destroy any one he went against, but his attitude is the guy that would just as warmly greet a white belt as he would a world-champion black belt that visited his school. He's a helluva grappler
and a genuinely good dude. Eddie's the same way. Eddie goes around like Marcelo does and shakes peoples hands. You get the sense that your presence is welcomed on their mats. It's a humbling experience. That's not always the case though. Royce
does need to be remembered for his accomplishments. He's done so much for jiu jitsu and mma, as well as jiu jitsu
in MMA, and that can never be discounted. We're all here because of him. It's sad to see him act in ways that he does, but let's not forget that his dad was the kind of guy to pick a fight with guys even into his 90's. As long as we keep those things into perspective, and don't put'em on too much of a pedestal, we can respect what they've done, honor them to the extent with which they can not be denied, and move on with our lives. Don't have to be boys with the guy. As Joakim Noah, the Bulls Center, once said when he was asked how he felt about being booed loudly on the road:
"It's okay. I have my friends."