GENTLEMAN JAMES:

A Letter From America

Greetings;

There is probably no US city that has taken more than its share of knocks than Cleveland, Ohio. It is America’s 48th largest city, located on the shores of Lake Erie, and home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It has been called “the mistake on the lake.” In 1969, its river caught fire because of pollution. The event tarnished the city’s image. America’s economic downturn in 2008 decimated Cleveland neighborhoods and jobs became scarce as companies closed. To top it all off, none of Cleveland’s three major professional sports teams had won a championship in 52 years.

This summer, a hometown hero ended the long losing streak by leading the city’s National Basketball Association (NBA) team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, to a nail-biting 93–89 win over the Golden State Warriors. The 31-year-old LeBron James, nick-named “King James” as a high school player, is a NBA superstar, multiple record holder, and has been ranked as one of the world’s most influential athletes.

Now, LeBron deserves the new title of “Gentleman James.” He has demonstrated the traits of a perfect gentleman both on and off the basketball court.

First, he had to earn back the trust of Cleveland fans. Though a Cavalier’s first round draft choice in 2003, he left for a warmer climate and more a promising team, the Miami Heat in Florida in 2010, after becoming a free agent. Fans revolted by burning LeBron jerseys, cursing his name, and calling him a traitor. With the Heat, he won two back-to-back championships (2012, 2013) while Cleveland’s pro teams continued their losing streaks.

When he returned to Cleveland in 2014, he promised he would win a championship for the city. He apologized for how he left the Cavaliers. A gentleman faces the consequences of his actions. The Cavs came close last year in the NBA finals but extensive team injuries made victory elusive. The city rallied again around LeBron. The optimism ran high — so high that Clevelanders began calling the city “Believeland.” LeBron worked hard — a gentleman never settles for second best.

Under LeBron’s leadership and with a healthy, top-notch team, the Cavaliers had a 57–25 season this year. The team made it back to the NBA finals. A gentleman always leads.

Despite a stellar season, however, the Cavaliers still were considered the underdog against the stronger Golden State Warriors. The Cavs had a 3–1 deficit and Lebron would not quit. A gentleman never quits. It all came down to the dramatic final moments in Game 7 as LeBron set up teammate Kyrie Irving to score the winning basket.

“Cleveland, this is for you,” shouted a teary-eyed LeBron after the final buzzer. A gentleman always keeps his promises.

In a post-game interview, he also held his little daughter in his arms as he savored the victory in a dignified and reserved way. A gentleman lets his actions doing his talking. It was also reported that LeBron, himself a fledging actor, watched “The Godfather” six times during the post-season. While it is a violent film about gangsters, the classic film’s theme is actually about family and honor — something to which “Gentleman James” could relate.

Off the court, James hasn’t forgotten his roots. A gentleman never forgets where he came from. LeBron has been a tireless promoter and cheerleader for Cleveland. He established the “I Promise” program with the University of Akron to provide 1,100 low-income students in Akron, Ohio, with a college education. James grew up on the streets of Akron, a city adjacent to Cleveland. The program will cost the LeBron James Family Foundation, his non-profit organization, nearly $42 million dollars.

The Cavaliers victory wasn’t only a tonic for Cleveland but gave America a positive distraction during the start of a difficult summer. Sport often has been used to unite and give solace to a nation. The dramatic come-from-behind win came on the heels of a terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida where a gunman killed 49 people and wounded 53 at Pulse, a popular gay nightclub. The country also was in the midst of a divisive and contentious Presidential election, and experienced the start of Zika virus concerns. Of course, the peace was short-lived as more tragedies unfolded in the US and around the world, but for one, brief shining moment; LeBron James made people believe that a gentleman can always do the impossible.

Sincerely,

Brian R. Sheridan

Published in the 2016 August issue of The Perfect Gentleman magazine.