Pistons, NBA Retired Players honor Gervin, Washington for St. Cecilia’s planned rebirth

As part of the evening, Jalen Rose led a talk session with George Gervin. Montez Miller – photos

To keep Earl Cureton’s vision alive, Derrick Coleman and Detroit Pistons spearhead a St. Cecilia funraiser.

By Leland Stein III

DEARBORN, Mich – The Detroit Pistons Foundation and the Detroit Chapter of the NBA Retired Players Association presented a dinner during Black History Month honoring Black Excellence at the Henry Ford Museum.

The occasion for this noteworthy gathering was to honor Detroit Public School legends Sam Washington (Western High) the linchpin behind St. Cecilia, and, NBA Hall of Famer, George “Iceman” Gervin (Martin Luther King High).

In recognizing and honoring these two Motor City men, both whom have lived and is living lives of service to others, brings into focus the main goal of the event, the restoration of the St. Cecilia gymnasium and facility, transforming both into a modern community center.

Gervin (center) is flocked by a host of Detroiters, including Sam Washington Jr. (2nd from left).

With the Pistons attached to the event, they brought their entire team, some Pistons’ alums, GM (Troy Weaver), head coach Monty Williams and team executive Arn Tellem gathered along with a host of Detroit area hoop stars.

Almost all the current Pistons players, alums came together to honor Washington and Gervin and at the same time raising money for a good cause, the regeneration of the historic St. Cecilia’s Gym located at Stearns and Livernois, a place many in attendance called home.

“We came together to pay homage to one of the greatest players to play the game of basketball here in the City of Detroit, my idol, the reason I wear the No. 44 is because of George Gervin,” said Derrick Coleman, president of the Detroit Chapter of  the NBA Retired Players Association.

Dave Bing (l) and Greg Kelser were co-emcees.

Continued Coleman: “We were at (NBA) all-star weekend one year and Spencer (Haywood)) told me that Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson was on his team at St. Cecilia and I’m like ‘Wow.’  The Saint has some real Detroit history.”

In case you didn’t know why Washington was being remembered in such a noteworthy way, it’s because of how he used sports to instill discipline, guidance, and sportsmanship in eager, searching Detroit youth – like me – trying to figure out “what is next” after the 60’s uprising against segregation and racism.

Sam used youth football to establish the legendary Saint Cecilia Gymnasium, that took the place of the Brewster-Wheeler Recreation Center in Motown. His dedication and passion for the sports inspired thousands and his impact is solidly rooted in Detroit’s community and basketball lore.

(l to r) Bing, Derrick Coleman, George Blaha and Archie Clark.

“We are here to honor Black Excellence, Sam (Washington) and St. Cecilia,” said former Mayor and Piston, Dave Bing, who was co-emcee with Greg Kelser. “Over the last 42-years St. Cecilia has been the home of 108 players that have played there and went on to the NBA – that’s unbelievable. Even though I am from D.C., for all my adult life I have been in Detroit and I’ve never seen the kind of talent that comes out this city. I feel kinda proud my holdout with the Pistons, the money they fined me was used to helped Sam get St. Cecilia off the ground in the late 60’s.”

Added Kelser: “I want to echo Dave’s sentiments about St. Cecilia, it was the Mecca of basketball, not only here in Detroit, but the entire Midwest. My experiences at St. Cecilia were second to none. That hotbox was really a proving ground for anyone who played basketball in this state. I want to recognize my good friend Earl Cureton, who passed suddenly, but helped start this movement to restore The Saint.”

These event partners hosted the Black Excellence event at the Henry Ford Museum.

Also, on the agenda was an one-on-one talk session with Jalen Rose and Gervin.

Rose asked Gervin about the finger-roll: “I did not invent that shot. Wilt (Chamberlain) had his version, Connie Hawkins, and Dr. J had a version, so I went to school and created my own finger-roll, mine just became famous.”

Detroit’s “Iceman” Gervin, put the cool in not trying to be cool. Gervin “finger-rolled” his way to four NBA scoring crowns, a Hall of Fame ABA & NBA career, and selection on both the 50th and 75th Anniversary teams complied to honor the greatest players in NBA history.

Gervin was the foundation for the expansion and eventual five-time NBA champions San Antonio Spurs becoming one of the league’s premier franchises.

“I was the first big guard,” said Gervin in an earlier interview. “I was 6-8 guard and I had a very unique game. I had range and got a lot of three-point plays by taking it to the hole, or giving the head and shoulder fake and playing off his mistake. He jumps, I’m jumping into him, shooting the ball.”

Along with Gervin are his sister, Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (center) and far right is his brother Derrick Gervin.

Smartly the Spurs also recognized Gervin’s very real contributions to solidifying this organization’s smooth transition from the ABA to the NBA.

“I’m a Detroiter and St. Cecilia gave me my foundation,” Gervin reflected, “but for me, San Antonio is my resting place. I’m a part of a franchise that’s really involved in their community.”

In Gervin’s post NBA career, with help from his sister, Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, he contributes to the San Antonio community with numerous organizations for kids who need them, including a technology school for those looking to pursue a second chance at education and a house for teenage girls coping with difficult pregnancies.

George Gervin Youth Center (GGYC) builds itself as a resource for the entire community. From a pre-K through high school academic academy to retirement housing for those age 62 and older.

Pistons NBA Hall of Famer and former Detroit Mayor, Dave Bing was a host.

“Your Dad, Sam Jr., was so special, he gave us a playground to play . . . everybody needs a somebody,” said Gervin. “What we are doing here today is trying to raise funds for a facility that Sam gave us young people an opportunity to showcase our art and skills. I left St Cecilia with the confidence that . . . I ain’t worried about anybody stopping Ice.”

Coach Washington was the gatekeeper at the 250-seat gym where youth leagues, high school, college and pro basketball players gathered every summer for the competition in the 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s and up to 10’s, and players from the state of Michigan feel it should have the same exposure as the Drew League in Los Angeles or the Rucker League in New York.

I like to add that St. Cecilia and Coach Washington not only helped those few that made it into professional sports, but the thousands of young men like me, that came under the tutelage of the youth coaches on the Westside Cubs, St. Cecilia and in Detroit Public Schools.

The lessons learned about teamwork, losing and getting back up, winning with dignity, voices continually pounding “hard work pays off for you”, and, most importantly, cajoled us to transfer those lessons and efforts into school and everyday life.

Leland can be reached at lelstein3@aol.com

Mahomes in rare air, Chiefs go back-to-back

Patrick Mahomes again leads Chiefs to an improbable Super Bowl victory run. Jon Gaede – photo

The Big Game with over 123 million viewers, became the most-watched telecast in U.S. History.

(Article published 2-14-23 via NNPA news wire services)

By Leland Stein III

LAS VEGAS – Contested before a record U.S. and an international viewership, Super Bowl LVIII at newly anointed Allegiant Stadium was such an intense defensive struggle in the first half, that some of my friends were texting and posting that the game was boring.

Those fans probably were some of the millions that only watch the NFL intently during the Super Bowl game.

For me, a son of a football coach, what I was seeing from both the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs were two teams balling out. I could see from their collective defensive efforts the preparation, coaching and focus the players had for “The Big Game.”

As the game progressed, the defensive struggle turned into a magnificent contest, that had many on the edge of their seats from the third quarter on.  

Mahomes releases ball from any angle. Jon Gaede – photo

The epic battle between the last two teams standing, thrillingly ended exactly as it has for the third time in the final NFL game of a season for Kansas City.

Patrick “Magic Man” Mahomes, at the tender age of 28, once again led his Chiefs to a gritty 25-22 overtime victory over the tough Niners.

It was only the second time in NFL history that a Super Bowl game has gone into overtime, following Super Bowl LI in 2017, when I sat stunned as Tom Brady and his New England Patriots produced an epic Atlanta Falcons collapse.

“Battling through the adversity that we went through this year,” exclaimed a relieved Mahomes in the post-game press conference, “and the guys staying with the process, keep believing. You never know how it is gonna happen, to be able to go play three great (playoff) teams, and, win all those games!”  

Mike Danna (51) puts the heat on scrambling Niners quarterback, Brock Purdy, who played a solid game. Jon Gaede – photo

Mahomes continued: “Then we were able to come through and be Super Bowl champs. I can’t even explain what was going through my mind. It was just extreme joy. I hope people remember the way that we’ve done it. We’ve had a lot of great playoff runs. But this is going to be up there, because [of] just the way that we kind of continue to battle whenever times weren’t great.”

As much or more than any other sport, football is truly a team game. Everyone must do their job on every play to ensure its success. If a lineman misses a block, generally your quarterback gets sacked, or, a missed tackle could lead to a touchdown.

However, as it is in every sport, occasionally, a player transcends the game with a special gift and will to win.

A few athletes I have witness like Serena, Ali, Kobe, Bolt, Phelps, Woods, Biles and Brady all can be identified with one name, because of their stellar command of their sports.

The intensity, grit, and command of game-on-the-line football situations Mahomes continually manufactured in leading his team against a strong 49ers’ defensive effort, surely moves him closer to being in that elite grouping.

Mahomes rushed for crucial fourth-and-one first down with the game on the line. Jon Gaede – photo

Additionally, the calm and steady guidance of coach Andy Reid has been perfect for Mahomes. Together, they piloted the Chiefs to repeat Super Bowl championships, becoming the first squad in 19 seasons to do so.

They have won three titles in the last half decade. And behind it all is a generational quarterback, Mahomes, who took home his third career Super Bowl MVP award, becoming only the third player in NFL history to do so.

“I mean, there’s no façade there when it comes to Patrick,” said a joyous coach, Reid. “He comes to work every day, humble, wanting to be great.”

Added Reid: “It’s a little bit surreal indeed, back-to-back is rare. It’s a great win because I know how hard it is to do and how hard the season was. The ups and downs of the season and how proud I am of the guys for just hanging with each other and staying positive with each other. It all kind of came together during the playoffs and worked out well.”

The Chiefs defense stops Deebo Samuel short of the goal line. Jon Gaede – photo

On the other hand, for the 49ers — who have won five previous Super Bowls (1982, 85, 89, 90 and 95) — and coach Kyle Shanahan, it’s yet another heartbreak. Still the 49ers should take comfort in is that quarterback Brock Purdy shined on the sport’s biggest stage.

“Yeah, just two real good teams,” an obviously hurt Shanahan said in the post-game press conference. “Went back and forth throughout the whole game and both teams played their behinds off, but, and then they got it done.”

Continued Shanahan: “I mean, we all hurt, and everyone knows how it feels and don’t have a lot a lot of words for it. Obviously, we’re hurting, our team’s hurting, but that’s how it goes when you put yourself out there. I thought our guys played so hard today not everything was perfect by any means, but if I’m going to lose with a group of guys, I’d do it with those guys any time and we’ll get over this and come back next year ready to go.”

Mahomes possesses a magical feel for the game, his pocket presence, a special knack for slipping into open spaces within the gridiron, smartly reserving his dual-threat abilities to run and throw passes from any angle to big-game moments.

Christian McCaffrey gets horse-collared turning the corner against Chiefs’ Mike Pennel Jr. Jon Gaede – photo

Despite football being an undeniable team game, Mahomes is the major reason the Chiefs have won consecutive Super Bowls busting through two decades of no team being able to accomplish the “Back-to-Back.” That stat alone speaks volumes to how hard it is to win “The Big Game.”  

In each of Kansas City’s three Super Bowl victories, Mahomes has brought his team back from deficits of 10 points.

I am not surprised after witnessing the beyond amazing postseason run Mahomes and the Chiefs implemented to get to the Super Bowl. That effort was football 101.

They dismantled the Miami Dolphins at frozen Arrowhead Stadium. Then in consecutive weeks, KC goes on the road and knockout both Josh Allen in snowy Buffalo and Lamar Jackson in frigid Baltimore.

That’s why Chiefs’ owner Clark Hunt said after the game “this was one of the greatest Super Bowls I’ve ever witness.” He also acknowledged Mahomes for changing the culture in KC and making his city “internationally recognized.”

Chiefs pass rusher, Mike Danna, revels in the victory celebration. Jon Gaede – photo

Because Hunt’s team fields a quarterback like “Magic” Mahomes, things like this will indeed get your city internationally recognized:

Kansas City is down by a field goal, in its own territory, one drive to win the Super Bowl. How can a moment get more pressurized?

If my knees were clanking and everyone else’s watching were too, just think of the concentration it takes a special athlete in the heat of a potential season-ending play.

Mahomes seems to tune out this overly noisy communications/social media era, and, still put the weight of a franchise on his shoulders in that moment. He didn’t let the weight of the intense pressure rattle him.

Mahomes twice led epic drives.

The first drive ended in a game-tying Harrison Butker 27-yard field goal with only 3 seconds left in the fourth quarter that led to overtime.

Mahomes gets pass off despite pressure from Niners Chase Young. Jon Gaede – photo

Not done yet, he orchestrated another game-winning touchdown in the closing seconds of the second Super Bowl overtime ever played. He made a star of unheralded receiver, Mecole Hardman, tossing him a three-yard game winner.

“When I saw the corner back up,” Hardman explained, “I knew I was going to get the ball, caught the football, and I blacked out. I’m not going to lie, I blacked out. I see Pat running towards me and I’m thinking, we just won.”

When one thinks of a quarterback winning big games with his legs, Jackson comes to mind first. However, Mahomes is so slick with his timely runs because he is faster and shiftier than he appears.

Mahomes finished as Kansas City’s leading rusher with 66 yards on nine attempts. But most importantly, he continually changed the game with his legs, gaining 44 yards, that resulted in four drive saving first downs on seven scrambles. Just for good measure, he also threw for 333 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Justin Reid laches onto Purdy (13), stopping a first down. Jon Gaede - photo

And as Hunt exclaimed, “that’s how a team gives a city international acknowledgement.”

Superstar tight end Travis Kelce’s outburst at Coach Reid, penalties and turnovers, couldn’t derail Kansas City. This team’s ability to work through those rough moments are what I call having championship mettle.

Is it just me, but somehow, someway, when the Chiefs are on the ropes in these big games, football fate just seems to manifest itself in crucial moments for them.

At last year’s Super Bowl, a timely fumble (the ball can bounce in a million directions) popped right in the hands of a linebacker for a touchdown.

On Sunday when the Chiefs were floundering, late in the third quarter, a special teams unit botched the punt return. When Tommy Townsend’s punt glanced off the foot of rookie corner Darrell Luter Jr. and ended up in the hands of Chiefs corner Jaylen Watson.

The following play, Mahomes and Kansas City scored its first touchdown of the Super Bowl. It gave them momentum, too; the Chiefs would go on to score on every possession following the botched return.

Alicia Keys in a stunning red bodysuit was a welcome addition to Usher’s show. Jon Gaede – photo

Somehow, someway, the Chiefs always seem to find and create opportunities for themselves in game-winning moments.

As Kelce hoisted the Lombardi Trophy — with his girlfriend, pop superstar Taylor Swift, looking on — he said “the goal’s always been to get three. But we couldn’t get here without getting the two. And having the target on our back all year.”

Also of note is the record number of people that tuned in to watch Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday.

An average of 123.4 million viewers watched according to initial CBS figures based on Nielsen Fast National data and Adobe Analytics. At the same time, Super Bowl LVIII was also the most-streamed Super Bowl in history.

The entertainment community has smartly used the Super Bowl’s ever-increasing reach to give their careers an extra boost.

Usher pays homage to Marvin Gaye and the Divine Nine, using Kappa Alpha Psi in his show. Jon Gaede – photo

Swift and Kelce are in a very public relationship, and given the interest in Swift, I am not surprised it pushed the numbers to record viewership.

Also, smoothly taking advantage of the world-wide audience was Usher and his nicely selected, secret co-performers featuring surprising guests like Alicia Keys, H.E.R., will.i.am, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon and Ludacris.

He kept true to his preshow promise that the performance would serve as a tribute to the Black artists who have come before him as he donned a Michael Jackson-inspired outfit.

“I think about what our country has kind of represented for Black artists having to at some point go through kitchens to even to be able to perform for an audience,” he told Andscape’s Kelley Carter in an interview on “Good Morning America.”

Leland can be reached at lelstein3@aol.com