The Real Boogie Cousins
Around the NBA, DeMarcus Cousins has the reputation of being a hothead and having an awful attitude; this past season DeMarcus Cousins set a NBA record with how quickly he racked up 16 technical fouls and earned a 1 game suspension. For the past 6 seasons DeMarcus has been top 5 in technical fouls, 3 of those seasons leading the league and 2 seasons in a close second place. The media has portrayed DeMarcus Cousins as just an angry player who has a bad attitude, but neglects show the side of DeMarcus that gives back to the community more than a lot of NBA players do. DeMarcus Cousins is one of the NBA’s most famous players, but his charity work still remains relatively unknown.
DeMarcus Cousins is known by many as one of the best centers in the NBA and has been dominating it for the past 3 seasons, but what people don’t know is that he puts as much pride into his charity work as he does into his game. One of his most recent works was on Nov. 7 2016, when he hosted a panel to help strengthen relations between the police and the community after students commented on how poor the relationship was. This panel brought together 150 local high school students and policemen to help them better understand each other. DeMarcus Cousins also hosts a free basketball camp over the summer which also provides free shoes, hats and even free eye tests and eyeglasses.
DeMarcus Cousins usually gives more than most athletes, even when some athletes aren’t willing to give he still does. On Jan. 22 2017, his team was leaving their hotel and kids outside were trying to sell chocolate bars for charity. That day was especially cruel to them as people were purposely avoiding them and their stand, including some of DeMarcus’s own teammates; DeMarcus Cousins went over and bought all the chocolate which he then later graciously donated to the flight staff on their plane. 3 ½ years earlier after signing a contract, DeMarcus shyly announced that 1 million dollars of his new contract would be donated to local families who were in need. DeMarcus being so humble and not wanting to be proud and cocky had to have the team owner and coach nudge him on to say it, to which he briefly announced and left the podium without saying anything more about it, that’s the thing, he isn’t doing this for attention, he’s doing it out of kindness of his heart.
To DeMarcus, giving back to people who are in a bad position as he once was is the one of the most important things. Back in December 2015 Demarcus took over 200 kids from Mobile and Sacramento on a shopping spree he likes to call his “Santa Cuz shopping spree” where he took them to buy clothes from footlocker as well as toys and video games from Target. DeMarcus later explained why giving back to the community was so important to him saying “I grew up in these kid’s shoes. Not as fortunate. Didn’t have the best Christmas. Just being able to get these kids clothes, shoes, whatever the case may be. Just something that they, you know, that they want for Christmas.” The night that DeMarcus was traded to New Orleans, he had an emotional goodbye to Sacramento to where he cried and told all of them they would always have a place in his heart.
What truly shows above all, is DeMarcus’s Humility and character. On Nov. 13 2015, JJ Clavo, a star cornerback for his local high school team in Sacramento, was shot to death; DeMarcus Cousins anonymously payed for the entire funeral as an attempt to help the family. The only reason we learned about him paying for the funeral is that during a candlelight vigil, City Councilman Rick Jennings, revealed that it was DeMarcus who payed the funeral expenses. Nov. 22 2016, DeMarcus returns to Del Paso Heights, the same place he paid for JJ Clavo’s funeral, this time he is here for much more happier reasons. DeMarcus bought 300 Thanksgiving meals for families who couldn’t afford it, while also still taking time to play some basketball with local kids.
Despite his attitude on the court, off the court DeMarcus is somewhat of a saint. NBA players like to donate and usually make big deals of it on social media or on the news, but to DeMarcus, how many people doesn’t matter. Unlike most players, DeMarcus has a real and deep connection to his city and everyone inside of it. DeMarcus is one of the most charitable athletes and yet, the media still likes to portray him as a big bad guy. When someone who bad mouths gets to know DeMarcus and all he does, they’ll see how great of a person he is. Thank you.
