No glass slippers or pumpkins for Cinderella Man
June 13, 2005
By Cam Tait
Life can change on a dime. Good or bad. Either way, it takes courage.
Imagine the courage of Jimmy Braddock, one of the best boxers in the world back in the 1920s. He had it all at one time - nice house, sharp looking clothes, wealth - and then fell into the pools of poverty. After the heat and power were cut off in his New York basement apartment, the casual dock worker walked into an exclusive room where the who's who of the boxing business were chatting. And as they sipped the finest wine and puffed on imported cigars, Braddock asked for help. With a wife and three young children, he was bound and determined to do everything and anything to protect his family from the cold weather during the depression of the early 1930s. The hat was passed, the coins fell, Braddock left the posh lounge in his suspenders and work clothes - quite a contrast from the three-piece pinstripe suits worn by the gentlemen who collectively came together to help him.
The scene is from Cinderella Man. Earlier this week, the new flick with Russell Crowe became the best movie I have ever seen. Its story - the true tale of Braddock - goes up and down like a roller coaster at the local amusement park. And, as much of a sports head as I am, I find boxing hard to watch. This movie is about a boxer, so you might ask yourself how a boxing movie can win such great praise from someone who would never pay to see a match. But boxing is only a subplot.
This is a movie about a man who was on top of his game, and on top of the world, and then fell from grace. We see it all the time in the sports business. To me, though, someone becomes a champion's champion in his own life not on the ice, or the field, or in the ring, but when he finds the inner strength to help himself.
In common conversation we often use the phrase, "The worst thing they can do is say no." In fundraising circles, we often hear about "the ask." And isn't it interesting what pride can do? It can either sweep all over us, tell us that asking is a sign of weakness and that we can, somehow, dig ourselves out of a hole. Conversely, pride can also make us eager and motivated to help ourselves. And if asking for help is an option, why not take it?
The rest of Cinderella Man is triumphant. Braddock gets back in the ring, works himself into top shape, gets bigger and bigger pay days, and eventually goes on to be the heavyweight champion of the world. And after he finally retired from boxing, he bought a loading dock in New York City where he once worked.
Several lessons can be taken from Braddock's story. As a fairly new grandfather, it reminded me about the importance of family, because when everything else is gone family is always our pillar of support. In a funny way, it motivates us to get on our feet again. Which brings me back to the old saying of how things can change on a dime for any of us. And when that happens, life often becomes richer because of the kindness of others.
Cam Tait is a sports reporter and columnist for the Edmonton Journal. He covered community investments and volunteers for 19 years. E-mail Cam at cam@charityvillage.com with thoughts, suggestions or ideas.
Opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CharityVillage.com®.
