I saw once him at a War show at Rockefeller's. He was getting down! (all my friends drive a low rider) It was night of the start of the '97 finals right after Stockton killed us with that shot. Everyone in the place was still glad to see him, and there definitely no hard feelings. It was a fun night.
is it still around today, where is it? i'm in the jewelry business myself, i always like to shop the competition
I haven't seen a Laker game on TV or in person yet this years but its going to be real hard to see him in front of a bench of players wearing bright yellow warmups. At the risk of possibly starting another Rudy vs. JVG thread I'm going to flat out say that I wished he had stayed coaching the Rox.
One Punch, Two Lives Changed Forever By Chris Carpenter CBN.com Producer The game of professional basketball was much different in 1977 than it is today. Much like the game of professional ice hockey most NBA teams employed at least one player in those days to serve as the team’s "enforcer." CBN.com - Long before Latrell Sprewell became the poster child for violence in the NBA for choking his coach, there was The Punch, an event that redefined the NBA. While Sprewell, now a Minnesota Timberwolve, received the longest suspension in league history, the incident somehow pales in comparison to the tragic event and aftermath that transpired on December 9, 1977. The game of professional basketball was much different in 1977 than it is today. Much like the game of professional ice hockey most NBA teams employed at least one player in those days to serve as the team’s "enforcer." This role had become a necessity at the time due to the extremely physical nature of how the game was being played. In fact, during the 1977-78 season, 41 fights were recorded, a number that seems extremely high by today’s standards. Three years into a promising NBA career, Los Angeles Laker forward Kermit Washington had carved out a reputation as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s "protector." Blessed with inordinate strength, the aggressive 6-8, 250 pound Washington had come a long way from a dysfunctional childhood in Washington, D.C. He had seemingly overcome the troubles of his youth to become an over achieving adult. He had been an athletic and academic All-American at American University, earning a degree in psychology. Also, he had become one of only five players in collegiate history to average 20 points and 20 rebounds in a season. Washington had married his college sweetheart and settled into a comfortable southern California lifestyle while fulfilling his dream of being a professional athlete. Until the punch… On the surface, the regular season contest that fateful night between the host Houston Rockets and the Lakers appeared to be like any other early season game. Tied 55-55 at halftime, the Rockets were enjoying a sensational shooting night from All-Star forward Rudy Tomjanovich (currently head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers). An eight-year veteran of NBA wars, the 6-8 Tomjanovich had been connecting on jump shots from all over the court in the first half. It seemed only natural that he was on his way to a high scoring night. Much like Washington, Tomjanovich came from a difficult background. Born and raised in a blue collar Detroit suburb, Rudy T was the son of a shoe maker father who was an alcoholic. Sometimes unemployed, the family often had to go on welfare. Even so, Tomjanovich has fond memories of both his parents despite the hardships they often endured. Early on he had discovered he was gifted at basketball. So gifted in fact that Rudy T attended the University of Michigan on a basketball scholarship where he starred for the Wolverines for four seasons. He too married his college sweetheart and had settled quite nicely into the NBA lifestyle. Until the punch… The Rockets had scored a quick basket to open the second half pushing them to a two point, 57-55 lead. Then it happened. There was a missed shot and the Rockets 7-0 center Kevin Kunnert hauled in the rebound. He somehow became entangled with Abdul-Jabbar and the situation quickly turned hostile. Washington, seeing what was happening between the Laker star and Kunnert, intervened in hopes of protecting Kareem from injury (Jabbar had just returned from the disabled list after breaking his hand in a fight with Milwaukee Buck center Kent Benson). What happened next is still unclear to this day. With Kunnert facing him at midcourt, Washington noticed a blur racing toward him at a fast pace from behind. Out of instinct, Washington wheeled around and delivered one crushing punch to the face of Tomjanovich, who was rushing toward them to break up the fight. The vicious blow was described by then Laker assistant coach Jack McCloskey as "the hardest punch in the history of mankind." According to Sports Illustrated, Tomjanovich suffered fractures of the face and skull, a broken nose, separated upper jaw, a cerebral concussion, severe lacerations around his mouth, and was leaking spinal fluid into his nose and mouth. In addition, the bone structure of his face was knocked loose from his skull. In the same article, published three weeks after the incident, doctors compared the injury to hitting a windshield at 50mph. How could this be happening to Kermit Washington? While he certainly possessed the physical attributes associated with being an "enforcer", Washington hardly seemed to carry the "goon-like" mentality that often accompanied the role. He, in effect, was only doing his job of protecting Jabbar. Yet, Tomjanovich laid in a pool of blood at his feet as the sports world looked on in horror. Washington was fined $10,000, suspended for 60 days without pay ($75,000), and subsequently became an NBA journeyman, playing for four different teams in the next five years. In essence, Kermit Washington had become damaged goods whether he deserved it or not. Rudy T remained hospitalized for two weeks and missed the remainder of the season recovering from his injuries. He returned the following year, won a multi-million dollar lawsuit with the Lakers, and eventually led the Rockets to an NBA championship as their coach. However, he could never quite shake the horrific trauma that ensued following the punch. Tomjanovich suffered from nightmares for several years while encountering physical problems that still affect him to this day. When his playing career was over Washington considered becoming a coach. Despite a solid 10 year playing resume, a high degree of intelligence, and the desire to work his way up the coaching ladder, there were no takers. Washington did serve as an assistant coach at Stanford under his former college coach but nothing ever materialized beyond that. It was obvious; a 10-second moment in time had altered the remainder of his life. He had officially become a basketball vagabond. Washington told the Sacramento Bee in early 2002 that he has never been bitter about the way his life has turned out. "My life would have turned out so much better (if he hadn’t punched Tomjanovich). Then again, I might have stayed in L.A. and got run over by a car. I just kept working hard and believing things are going to come out right." Now 52 years old, Washington has dedicated his life to helping others. He formed the "Sixth Man Foundation", an organization devoted to helping needy people get a fresh start in Portland, Oregon, shortly after his playing days were through. He also solely created and financed "Project Contact", a foundation that provides medical supplies and care for underdeveloped African nations. Meanwhile, he waits for the phone to ring with a coaching offer. None come. But more importantly, Tomjanovich has forgiven Washington for his actions on that cold, dark night in Houston 25 years ago. Rudy T told the Houston Chronicle in August of 2002, "If I want to dwell on hatred and resentment and self-pity and being a victim, it’s just self-destructive. I believe having hatred and resentment is like taking poison and expecting it to hurt the other person. This is the only way to get rid of that poison. I chose to sincerely forgive. This is living it." In these two men, despite the most difficult of circumstances, we see a shining example of Christ-styled forgiveness. John encourages those who are forgiven to love others. In I John 2:9-12 he says, "He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake." Twenty-seven years have passed since a 10 second incident forever altered two men’s lives. Life has certainly not been easy for Kermit Washington or Rudy Tomjanovich as what happened on the evening of December 9, 1977 can never be forgotten. Kermit Washington will always be the player who threw the punch. Rudy Tomjanovich will always be the player who was punched. For better or worse, this event has affected and will continue to affect each man for the rest of his life. Fortunately, both have decided to forgive each other and move forward in their lives. How about you? Is there someone in your life who has seemingly wronged you beyond repair that you should forgive. You can do so right now. Through the hand of Jesus Christ all is possible. "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." -- Ephesians 4:31-32
My wife and I did this for almost two years. We had a lot of fun, but now Clutch and I own a web development company (we have since 2001).
