At Bat with Jimmy Rollins

Last week I sat down with Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins...and not only did the interview go well...this video is currently appearing on BET.com, and with that said...I truly believe that this is the beginning of something special in my career.

There is no substitute for hard work.

Drive

Dedication

"Science they can't prove it...but I know I can do it..."

Robin Thicke - Magic

Ambition is something that cannot be purchased, inherited, learned, or taught. Either you have it or you don't. It is innate...there is no gray area, and when it comes to my craft in journalism, be it print, photo, or television, I truly believe that no one works harder than I. Yes there are people that are better, as far as talent, but the work I put into becoming the best I can be, is extraordinary.

The Tipping Point

I often refer to myself as The Most Known Unknown, and while that makes perfect sense to me, it is nothing short of a mystery to many others, so allow me if you will to explain. First and foremost it's the name of three 6 mafia's platinum album from 2005, which featured the track "Stay Fly". From there I adapted the name to apply towards my career in journalism, because the more successes I have, there is still more work to be done, so within the vicious cycle, there is always more that I can do. Aside from that, my work is well known, but there is a vast majority that have never seen it, or heard of me.

Don't get me wrong...I don't need recognition. I'm looking for an opportunity to grow into the writer inside. I watch ESPN, and BET, and I know that the skill set I possess, is something that would be a natural fit for national audience. When that day does come, I will continue to work hard, as the real work will begin when I get there. Until then, I eat properly, run my 2-miles, study and read, as well as practice my writing, and people skills.

There are 2 television shows (The 6 Million Dollar Man, and The Incredible Hulk) that I can vaguely remember watching as a child, and as I look back on them...they both will help you to understand how I'm wired. Just like the slogan for LEXUS, I have a relentless desire, but not for perfection...rather, I'm striving for ACHIEVEMENT.

Peace.

The Most Known Unknown

The Human Race

Game time

Focus

Patience

Shun not the struggle

Second to none

"...runnin' like I just don't care....Compton's 50-miles, but 'yo, I'ma get there. Arch in my back, and on a straight route...just like Carl Lewis..."

Eazy-E - 100 Miles And Runnin'

Sports are a great metaphor for life. From the time when I first began playing soccer, to the present day and my morning 100-meter backstroke, I’ve learned lessons of endurance, intelligence, as well as personal and team growth.

I have said numerous times, as I will continue to convey my idea of how the game of basketball not only saved me from the pitfalls of my neighborhood, but it also has allowed me a career as a correspondent, and sports marketing specialist.

New Found Glory

11-months ago I moved to Oregon. I won’t get into specifics, but I was working on a project dedicated to Hip-Hop music and culture for Nike’s advertising firm, Weiden+Kennedy. I have always resided on the east coast, so the move west was one of careful thought, and some trepidation. A few things about Beaverton, Oregon:

• The city is 1% black and the majority of those persons work for Nike, and unfortunately I did not, so I was the minority of the minorities.
  

• It rains everyday.
  

• It’s a good change of pace from the city life.
  

• Everyone cares about the environment and ecology, so that was something that I picked up from living there and have since carried over in my return to Philadelphia.
  

• It RAINS everyday. The employees at Nike call it liquid sunshine.
  

The good people at Nike are very conscious about sports, as it is their goal to build their product with the athlete’s voice and needs at the forefront.

The saying is when in Rome, do as the Romans do, so not only did I recycle everything, I started running for recreation, and a healthy new lifestyle.

I haven’t participated in anything of this nature since my senior year of high school, so I ventured to the store and purchased a pair of Nike + Air Max Brazen. The way the Nike + technology works is that in the left shoe, there is a “pocket” inside the mid-sole. Inside that pocket fits a “chip” that can and will communicate to your iPod Nano. The information is relayed to the headphones, giving a read on distance, time, calories burned, and pace, while playing your favorite music.

If you have an iPod Nano, then all you need is a pair of Nike + shoes, and a Nike + sports kit. If you want to run, and are serious about keeping your morale and motivation high, then this investment in Nike + and iPod Nano is well worth its weight in gold!

Had Nike and Apple not teamed up to make running a convenience, then this story would have never gotten off the ground.

08.30.08 – 8:04pm - Its Labor Day weekend, and my friends Ricky, Vince, and I went to Dr. Marc Lamont Hill’s annual BBQ party. WOW! Good food, good folks, and good clean fun. Not to mention the DJ was playing some of the best music which only added to the festivities. Nevertheless, we left somewhere in the 2am hour, and woke up what seemed like a few minutes later to go to church.

08.31.08 – 10:02am - Vince, Jane, and I made it to the morning service. I sat with my childhood friend, Tameka, and followed along with the sermon.

Today is the Nike+ Human Race, which is a historic 10K run with or against the world. It just depends how you choose to look at it. The way I see things, I’m running with people from here to Japan and back again...which is pretty unique, to say the least.

7:17pm – I went to my familiar surroundings at Temple University and embarked on the 6-mile run. Prior to this day, I was running 2-miles per day, Monday – Friday. I felt good, and now I was ready.

A little after mile 2, my right knee had a sharp pain, that I’ve never felt before. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to finish the race, but with some strategy and perseverance I walked and jogged into the history books.

The final stats are as follows:

Distance: 10.06 km

Time: 1:19:51

Pace: 7:56 min/km

Calories burned: 761

World Rank: 26,058

For more on the 10K race watch the video below: