Ron Artest has come a long way from the venom he used to receive from basketball fans and media alike, after the infamous NBA brawl incident. Now he's a media darling serving as a guest editor for ESPN and a role model to young people. Most recently, October 12th was crowned "Ron Artest Day" in Las Vegas.
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But why has Ron Artest been able to do a complete turnaround in the eyes of the media and the likes of Latrell Sprewell or Michael Vick haven't been able to come out of the shadows of infamy?
I think it's partly his affability and quirkiness.
I think it's partly his affability and quirkiness.
He is refreshing in a world of athletes that are cardboard cutouts that speak in cliches. His flaws are out in the open. He marches to his own beat. He admitted to drinking Hennessy during half-time. Instead of the standard, "I'd like to thank God for helping me win this championship ring," he thanks his therapist. You just don't see that every day in any sport or profession.
He wears it all on his sleeve, is self-deprecating, talks about topics people would consider taboo and somehow has been able to reinvent himself.
Now that he's on a championship team, his physically intimidating style, once a threat to many, is now embraced. And now he has a platform where people will listen to him confront the circumstances of his life, the mistakes he's made and how he's striving to be a better person.
He is now seen as a champion on the court and a champion of mental health off of it.
Ron Ron was presented with the key to Las Vegas,because of his efforts to raise mental health awareness. In addition to the keys to the city and proclamation, Ron also received $10,000 for his charity XCel University.
He launched Xcel U to encourage children and teens living in high-poverty and high-risk environments to complete their education and become community leaders by volunteering their time and giving back to their communities.
The program works with community centers to identify at-risk kids and give them incentives to live a positive, healthful lifestyle.
Now Artest is auctioning off his championship ring. It's become exciting to see what sort of philanthropy Ron Artest will do next. That's quite a feat in any profession.