Dikembe Mutombo: Shattering NBA stereotypes

As big of a player 7′2” Dikembe Mutombo of the Houston Rockets was, let it be his career’s end that finally inspires us to become bigger people ourselves.

It is so easy to stereotype athletes. Maybe even easier to create that small athletic box for black athletes.

But last week, as a freak injury ended the 18 year career of Mutombo, we were reminded again to learn life lessons, not just game stats, from those in sports.

It started in an interview done in the stands as the injured Mutombo was being interviewed during a time out.

The reporter asked questions about his career and about how sad it will be for him to leave the game.

Then the reporter asked, “What would you be without basketball?”

You see, Mutombo grew up in the African Congo. The reporter meant only to highlight the wonderful experience of playing basketball. But the question was also filled with American arrogance. It was an honest mistake by the reporter on live T.V.

Mutombo paused and looked taken back, then through his grinding deep voice he replied, “A doctor.”

Now the reporter is taken back; the interview ends quickly and with smiles.

At first I thought Mutombo was giving a lesson in positive thinking. But it’s true, he would have been a doctor.

Mutombo had not expected to play basketball in college. He came to the United States from the Congo with a scholarship to Georgetown University in the study of medicine. A basketball coach recognized the physical potential of Mutombo, which led to his stardom in Georgetown athletics.

Mutombo was drafted to the NBA and spent the next 18 years as a defensive king. But not before he got his degrees in linguistics and diplomacy.

ESPN Columnist Chad Ford wrote that Americans know Mutombo for his strong defense and blocks. But in Africa his stardom approaches that of Michal Jordan.

Mutombo spent his entire NBA career paying millions to build a hospital in the Congo, giving numerous donations to African charities in all countries of the continent and spending countless more bringing Africans to school in the U.S. through his personal scholarships.

Watch video: The opening of a hospital in Congo

Many athletes accept the shallow stereotypes we expect of them. There is much to be said about the use of a persons body (and more directly) the use of African bodies, for athletic entertainment at the expense of the black mind across the world.

All of which makes the life and lessons of Dikembe Mutombo all the more important in a world of Chris Browns and OJ Simpsons.

Let Him Speak: Quotes from Dikembe Mutombo

“Dikembe Mutombo is not just a basketball player. I want the kids to see this powerful message. If you want to dream about being Dikembe Mutombo, it has to be about more than just basketball. They cannot forget where they came from. If they want to dream about me, dream about what I’m doing on a daily basis. Dream about being a person who can look behind them and see people suffering and say, ‘I will turn my shoulder and look after them and see what I can do.’ I think if the kids can get that message, it will be a bright day in Africa soon.”
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“Nobody ever thought that one day kids in Africa would dream about playing in the NBA. Maybe they dream of coming to America and getting an education and stay in America and having a wonderful job. To see that dream transformed into coming into the NBA — dreaming of being the next Dikembe Mutombo; being a role model; being a leader in the community; being someone who can come back and inspire our people — this is has been my dream.”
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“ I know it is going to be difficult to stop people from dying, because death is part of our lives, But to prevent as many deaths as possible, it is up to us to do so. This is something I will do the rest of my life.”

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Credit: Abrahim Appel, 30, a freelance journalist residing in Fullerton, California. He recently acquired his B.A in Afro-Ethnic and American Indian Studies from Cal State Fullerton. He works as a live-in caregiver and is researching masters and PhD programs in Arab-Diaspora Studies or International Relations with an emphasis on ethnic relations while considering a career with the Peace Corps.