I didn't ask for this shit.
I really didn't. I mean...I never thought it'd be like this.
When I was in college, I just had to worry about going to class and playing ball. Hell...I didn't NEED to go to class. Once the professor found out who I was and that I played ball, I knew I could pass that class. But I'm no dummy.
I went to class. I'm no dumb jock. I didn't major in Basket Weaving 101 like some of my teammates. I majored in marine bology.
People looked at me and thought that I wasn't smart until I opened my mouth and blew them away.
I handled college well...I dealt with the chicks and autograph seekers. Never had a steady girlfriend. Why should I? I could have any woman...any color...on our campus. I was the big man on campus. Everybody knew me. As my game became better on the court...more attention came. Then came the calls, emails, and text msgs from the agents. That was annoying.
I hate doing interviews but my college coach told me that I had to "play the game" with the media. They can make or break you.
Things are different now. I'm in the pros now. This ain't what I thought it'd be. Don't get me wrong...it's fun but not lilke I thought it'd be. College was the time of my life when i was playing ball. This is just a business.
I have to deal with agents, marketing reps, lawyers. I also have to deal with groupies and hanger on dudes. The groupies are unreal. They are everywhere. They are in every city and at every party that I go to. Most of them are willing to "do whatever it takes" to snag a baller like me. I don't need that baby drama in my life. I want to have kids one day. But I also want to be married and committed to one woman.
I've slept with more women than I'd care to admit to. I always protect myself but I need to stop doing what I'm doing.
Sometimes I feel like I'm caught in the middle of some "social pyramid." I mean, I'd like to hang at clubs and listen to hip hop with people who are my age but I don't want to have to fear for my life in that type of scene. I have the income and the "status" to party with the "suits" but I don't feel comfortable around those people for long periods of time. Some of them respect me more for my athletic prowess than my intelligence. So, I feel like I'm in the middle sometimes.
Y'all just don't understand. You only see what I do athletically. You see the fame and the millions that I make. You don't see me for who I am. Some of you see me as a piece of meat. I'm here to entertain you. I'm not. I'm here to play a sport b/c that's what I love to do...well...what I used to love to do. It's just a business now.
What if your salary was published in a newspaper where everybody knew how much money you made?
What if your successes and failures at work were publicly scrutinized on a daily basis?
What if you didn't want the spotlight because you knew it'd burn the hell outta you?
My life is your entertainment.
Can it be that it was all so simple then?
I didn't ask for this shit.
I really didn't. I mean...I never thought it'd be like this.
When I was in college, I just had to worry about going to class and playing ball. Hell...I didn't NEED to go to class. Once the professor found out who I was and that I played ball, I knew I could pass that class. But I'm no dummy.
I went to class. I'm no dumb jock. I didn't major in Basket Weaving 101 like some of my teammates. I majored in marine bology.
People looked at me and thought that I wasn't smart until I opened my mouth and blew them away.
I handled college well...I dealt with the chicks and autograph seekers. Never had a steady girlfriend. Why should I? I could have any woman...any color...on our campus. I was the big man on campus. Everybody knew me. As my game became better on the court...more attention came. Then came the calls, emails, and text msgs from the agents. That was annoying.
I hate doing interviews but my college coach told me that I had to "play the game" with the media. They can make or break you.
Things are different now. I'm in the pros now. This ain't what I thought it'd be. Don't get me wrong...it's fun but not lilke I thought it'd be. College was the time of my life when i was playing ball. This is just a business.
I have to deal with agents, marketing reps, lawyers. I also have to deal with groupies and hanger on dudes. The groupies are unreal. They are everywhere. They are in every city and at every party that I go to. Most of them are willing to "do whatever it takes" to snag a baller like me. I don't need that baby drama in my life. I want to have kids one day. But I also want to be married and committed to one woman.
I've slept with more women than I'd care to admit to. I always protect myself but I need to stop doing what I'm doing.
Sometimes I feel like I'm caught in the middle of some "social pyramid." I mean, I'd like to hang at clubs and listen to hip hop with people who are my age but I don't want to have to fear for my life in that type of scene. I have the income and the "status" to party with the "suits" but I don't feel comfortable around those people for long periods of time. Some of them respect me more for my athletic prowess than my intelligence. So, I feel like I'm in the middle sometimes.
Y'all just don't understand. You only see what I do athletically. You see the fame and the millions that I make. You don't see me for who I am. Some of you see me as a piece of meat. I'm here to entertain you. I'm not. I'm here to play a sport b/c that's what I love to do...well...what I used to love to do. It's just a business now.
What if your salary was published in a newspaper where everybody knew how much money you made?
What if your successes and failures at work were publicly scrutinized on a daily basis?
What if you didn't want the spotlight because you knew it'd burn the hell outta you?
My life is your entertainment.
Can it be that it was all so simple then?
I didn't ask for this shit.
thoughts from your favorite pro athlete
12 comments:
That's a pretty heavy post 12kyle. Most people don't even think about what it is like to be in the spotlight all the time. I'm sure there are some really great things that come out of being a 'baller', but I also bet that for every great thing there are a couple things that most folks wouldn't want to have to deal with for a single day, much less everyday from now until.......
Great post Bruh!
Something about this just strikes me as odd. Not sure what exactly isn't sitting right with me. I think your experience is as you make it. Sure there are certain things that come with the territory of being a professional athlete that is negative such as your salary and the groupies but for the most part I'm left with the sentiment MAN UP.
Majoring in basketweaving is an easy out in college so when an athlete says he's majored in something significant like Marine Biology do my eyes light up? HECK NO, you're going to college for free, you might as well stimulate your mind and learn something while there.
You slept with more woman than you care too, Then you should have said no.
DOn't want to deal with all these "baby mamas" running out there, don't sleep with all these different women or if you must, use a condom.
You alone are the master of your fate and you MAKE your experience.
But this was a good post
What if your successes and failures at work were publicly scrutinized on a daily basis?
What if you didn't want the spotlight because you knew it'd burn the hell outta you?
My life is your entertainment.
on a smaller scale, I know the feeling, so I couldn't even begin to fathom what it's like to be a professional athlete or celebrity for that matter
but I kind of agree w/Kingsmomma with being the master of one's fate- one has to take control of a situation, even if it feels way too out of control, instead of just letting things happen
damn...and I thought this was about your life....great write up...
Hey Kyle, good post. I think this pretty much applies to any celebrity, not just the athletes. the first thought that comes to mind is "be careful what you wish for". 4real.
I would love the opportunity to find out and then make a judgement!!! See ya in D.C!!
Hmmm...gotta think about this...
I know it's hard to believe I'm at a loss for words...lol
I liked this alot...but i have to agree with some of the posters...if this the life you chose, then dammit manup and make the best of it...if you don't want to deal with the video hos then shop elsewhere...if your hanger on friends are bringing you down...reach out to some real ones. Find another goal...yes you have mastered B-Ball or whatever your claim to fame is...now reach out and extend yourself...find another challenge, one greater than you could have imagined...and most importantly turn to God...because no matter your circumstances, he will direct you to what you need! Great post Kyle!
wat mizrep said.lol
there are drawbacks and joys to almost any path we take
make the most of it
Good Post Kyle. I'm sure it's difficult to be in the limelight everyday all day but this is the life that most of them prayed about. With this you need to be more accountable for your actions.
wow! Interesting post.
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