They were also the only black people there

(If you haven't heard - AI could've gone pro in football, too. He's called the Answer for a reason!)While there, a shouting match broke out between two factions of people, and then a fight. Out of the two dozen or so people at the bowling alley, only Iverson and his three friends were arrested. They were also the only black people there.Allen was tried under an archane law that existed to prosecute lynchers seriously and served a few months in a correctional facility There was no evidence behind any of the charges. Granted clemency, he met John Thompson and under his care attended Georgetown as a Hoya, the rest is fairly well known.While he is on trial, Allen wears a suit for the first time in his life. Disgusted with the trial, the racist police and townspeople, the complicit media who never challenged the case, Allen throws his suit away after the case is decided.

No one ever bothers to mention the reason Iverson won't wear a suit.Throughout his youth, facing obstacles and situations most can't imagine, Iverson remained a loyal, caring friend, a dedicated student, a good son and a decent man.In college he was taunted so maliciously that John Thompson had to ask other colleges to reign in their students, who were prone to racist chants and offensive signs.As a NBA player he was the first to act authentically, and I mean that completely sincerely. Jordan spent his life as a blank slate so white people would buy Hanes underwear from him, AI tatted up his whole arms and put his hair in cornrows. He became a lightning rod, getting the absolute worst from everyone who didn't take the time to understand him a little better. Some fans, offended at his very existence , continued the racist taunts during his road games.Think about that for a second Imagine being incredibly good at basketball. Now imagine playing in an arena where 20,000 people are angrily taunting you because you grew up in a poor town and dress and act differently than they do. Imagine Salt Lake City Jazz fans yelling "GO BACK HOME, MONKEY!" at you while you played basketball. How would you react Allen Iverson reacted as best as anyone could He played harder He smiled at those college kids after he hit free throws.

He thanks God almost every press conference, talks about being blessed He wishes his enemies well He's made mistakes. He's messed up, but in the grand scheme of things, they've been tiny little nothings.He's blamed for the 2004 Olympic Bronze, but he was the only player who gave an interview after every game, who talked about what an honor it was to be on the team, how it was a dream come true. He played his guts out.Bron and Wade only said they were happy to be on the Olympic team after they won a Gold Medal 4 years later He's a person who asks forgiveness and grants it when asked. Do unto others.Iverson is someone I admire, someone I look up to, and someone who shows me that obstacles are there to be overcome That inner strength is stronger than anything else I hope I can become a man like him one day Sincerely I haven't even started talking about AI the player. I know he's been put down a lot throughout his career as someone who shoots too much, who dominates the ball too much on offense to ever be part of a Championship team I've heard it all.It's wrong It's completely wrong. Iverson is a spectacular, otherworldy athlete, and he does things on the basketball floor that boggle the mind.In person it's even more impressive, but on TV you can see it: Blindingly fast, quick beyond all comprehension, he drives from and into angles that are basically invisible, finishing impossibly at the rim while clobbered by men twice his size, playing the most minutes in the league basically the first ten years of his career.Watching AI play is a sight to behold. Watching the Sixers waste his prime years as a player was heartbreaking. To the charge that AI doesn't pass enough yeah he does. Go watch an All-Star game, where AI throws passes fellow All-Stars can't believe got to them, where he's won two MVP awards.You can even go look at his career stats: An average of 6.3 assists per game.