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Jewish World Review May 4, 2011 / 30 Nissan, 5771 The legacy of Francisco Rodriguez, champion boxer By Dave Weinbaum
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
As a pugnacious kid, I was always getting into street fights. Recognizing this, my
father, Mel arranged a meeting with a couple of Chicago mobsters in a Hyde
Park (South Side) Chicago restaurant. The subject was whether I wanted to
become a prize fighter -- under their expert tutelage.
I was 12.
Even though I never considered myself Mensa material, I questioned whether my
little brain could take years and years of beating. In other words, I didn't want
to become stupider than I already was.
I declined—a decision I'm still jiggy with some 50 years after. Besides, later I
played football which is why most of my children and wife consider me
occasionally forgetful to my face and downright loopy when talking behind
my back.
The most valuable inheritance you can leave
your children is the example you set in life.
The manly art (now performed by women as well) is a dangerous sport. Many
a strong man has been literally beaten to death in the ring.
People pay big bucks to watch. There IS money in this business. However the
price to pay is devastating. Five-Hundred and ninety-two boxers died with their
gloves on. Most who survive the sport have a multitude of ailments later in life.
"The Greatest," Muhammad Ali suffers from Parkinson Disease, diagnosed at
age 40. This type of disorder is typical of ex-fighters.
It's not just boxing. Pro football has its share of brain related ailments, as well as
spinal and neck injuries. Dave Duerson, all pro safety for the Chicago Bears,
recently killed himself due to his gray-matter injuries. Duerson, suffering deep
depression caused by his injuries, shot himself in the chest, having left a note to
donate his brain to the NFL to study the effects of tackle football on the head area.
Any truly great venture has some degree of danger
That brings us to the tragic death of fighter, Francisco (Paco) Rodriguez. He was
25. Paco was better than good. He'd won an Illinois State Championship, Five
Chicago Golden Gloves and one National Golden Gloves tournament. His family
boxed. His father, Tito thought it would keep Francisco and his brothers
out of trouble.
Eventually, Tito tried to get Paco to give up the sport but he couldn't. Paco had
to try to be the best. He was determined to win a professional
World Championship.
He got his opportunity recently in Philadelphia . There, fantasy legend, Rocky
made millions for Sly Stallone acting as a has-been boxer. Rocky turned his life
around by finding his heart and with manager Mickey training him, Sly as Rocky
won many title fights. But Rocky accomplished victory by letting his opponents
beat him into a makeup-induced bleeding pulp.
Rocky was the poster boy for punishment, suffering head trauma that most
anyone wouldn't survive. Rocky's tattered torso was immortalized with a statue
right there in Philly.
Paco visited the Rocky statue just before his championship fight. He wasn't a
brawler like the Rock. He was a tactician, an artist who would prefer to stick
and move rather than bludgeon it out.
Become a beacon of light for those seeking a ray of hope
Francisco was staggered in the first round, but stayed competitive. He was
thumped so bad in the tenth round the Ref stopped the fight. Soon after,
Paco complained of being tired. He passed out on the stool and
never recovered.
The family was contacted by an organ donation organization, DonateLife.net.
His family gathered together in their time of extreme pain and decided to
literally put Paco's life and spirit into some needy sufferers who couldn't have
survived without his healthy organs.
According to Melissa Isaacson of ESPNChicago.com, Paco's kidneys, liver,
lungs, pancreas and other organs were used to save the lives or cure long-term
diseases of eight people, all with families of their own.
Not only will Paco live on for as long as his daughter and her children multiply,
but his new family of donor recipients will prosper.
He may have come short of the goal of pro boxing championship, but because of
his family's vision, Paco will be sitting next to G-d, watching his daughter grow up
and his extended family of eight other families, once despaired, now enthralled.
An account has been established to help ease the family's medical expenses.
Donations can be made at any Chase Bank location in America . You may
deposit directly to the Francisco Rodriguez Estate fund account #707331062.
I was alerted to Paco's story by watching an ESPN special. He was also featured
by Melissa Isaacson, ESPNChicago.com.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Dave Weinbaum hosts DaveWeinbaum.com. He is a businessman, writer and part-time stand-up comic and resides in a Midwest red state. Comment by clicking here.
© 2011, Dave Weinbaum |
Mitch Albom | |||||||||||||
