THE EDITOR, Sir:
AFTER WATCHING last night's (2.28.03) ceremony honouring one of Jamaica's great sons of sport in which they retired his jersey #33 I must share the joy and happiness this has brought to me and the many others who watched this tribute at Madison Square Garden. A tribute that was touching, moving and filled with emotion.
In recent times our island has been cast with a lot of negatives and this I must say was one moment that made me feel good to be a basketball fan and a Jamaican. A man who did not just represent the greatness of our island but the whole NBA, one who stood tall among the ranks of the best of the best in his field, he may never have worn a championship ring at this time but because of his leadership, his loyalty, his dignity and the pride that he brought throughout the game this alone surpassed any ring he could have won.
I personally want to let him know that Spike Lee was not his only loyal fan and supporter but all of us in Jamaica and around the world were his loyal fans. The many tributes that were bestowed on him last night were touching and deep, they even chose to say he was the greatest of all time in the New York camp of basketball players. This he graciously rejected and passed it on to those who came before him. He was filled with emotion and joy and he stood tall and proud.
His tribute to his fans, family, friends, opponents and fellow Jamaicans in which he tried to talk to us in his native Jamaican was filled with deep emotion and touched the hearts of all who were watching and he was proud to talk about his Jamaican roots and to thank his father and mother for bringing him to this country.
Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks, #33, I want to say thanks for all what you have done for the game and most of all thanks for being a proud Jamaican even when there is so much negative being said about us, you have proven to all the critics that there are still people who are strong and not afraid to say I am Jamaican. I and your fellow Jamaicans wish you the best of whatever to come in your life ahead. A true sport ambassador of our people. Your #33 not only represented you but all of Jamaica. Thanks, ONE LOVE.
I am etc.,
FITZ CROOKS
Tinnaray21@aol.com
Worcester, MA, USA
Via Go-Jamaica
