Miguel Respress, 18, on the Niagara Falls High School basketball team, collapsed and died after playing in a game in California. He had his mind set on going pro. See "Funeral service for N.F. basketball star" at
JW Basketball Star Dies
by Kenneson 9 Replies latest social physical
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Kenneson
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DanTheMan
I feel sorry for his teammates and school chums that attended the "funeral"...
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confusedjw
No kidding. He's lucky if his name was even mentioned at the funeral and for sure the brother giving the talk (and counting his time) didn't mention the young man's dreams and aspirations.
I HATE JW funerals.
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carla
Sorry for the young man's death. What was he doing on a basketball team to begin with? much less thinking of going pro? These days if a child shows talent in a sport (william sisters) are sports now ok? Does each cong decide seperately? Where is the 'unity' in this when some can and some can't? thanks, carla
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shera
JW funerals are a preaching fest,I don't like them ither...blah
What a shame he died so young,he couldn't have been letting the JW's control what he was going to do with his life.
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outnfree
How sad! The young man had a dream and, apparently, the talent to have made it come true.
I was thinking that perhaps Miguel had a believing mother and an unbelieving dad (like the Williams sisters). In that case, the head of the household could allow the son to participate in high school sports, all the inherent "bad association" notwithstanding. Perhaps the older brother's career has been a blessing to the family, or, since he had been allowed to play sports, consistency demanded that Miguel also be allowed to play?
out
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luna2
Poor kid! That's really sad.
carla, I allowed my youngest son to play basketball and I wish I'd encouraged my oldest to play a sport in school too. After several bad experiences with my boys and other JW kids, I decided that association with "worldly" kids could hardly be any worse. I know he was a lot happier and more motivated to do well in school. I was tired of being the iron-handed JW mother...a role that was completely contrary to my nature and caused me great distress. I knew of one other JW family who allowed their nephew (who they were raising) to play too, so it does happen. I'm sure a lot of the congregation thought we were weak, but somehow I didn't care any more.
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Fatfreek
I understand Mark McCumber, pro golfer, is JW. (sorry, I can't souce that using Google). Here's a little snippet about him:
EXEMPT STATUS: Top 30 on All-Time Money List
FULL NAME: Mark McCumber
HEIGHT: 5-8
WEIGHT: 170
BIRTHDATE: September 7, 1951
BIRTHPLACE: Jacksonville, FL RESIDENCE: Jacksonville, FL
FAMILY: Wife, Paddy; Addison (1/28/76), Megan (6/14/80), Mark Tyler (4/4/91)
SPECIAL INTERESTS: Family activities, golf course architecture
TURNED PROFESSIONAL: 1974
JOINED TOUR: 2001Fats
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DonKing
I was once apart of a Kingdom Hall but have since gone on my own to think for a while. Reading this enlightens me on the diverging views that some JW share in regard to sports in general. Over emphasis on competition is a horrid thing and I see it exists in most sports.
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vitty
He would also have had to of been a JW in good standing or they never would have allowed the funeral at the KH !!!!