A Decade Later. The Gerald McClellan Tragedy
By Richard Slone
February
19 , 2005 -February 25th will
mark a decade. The tenth year that former middleweight champion Gerald
McClellan has struggled with life since his fight with Nigel Benn
left Gerald with permanent brain damage.
It’s
been a decade since McClellan and Benn battered each other close
to death. McClellan has been under the constant care of his two
sisters, Lisa and Sandra, since. The war of 1995 left him blind,
partially deaf and unable to care for himself.
Gerald
is completely blind, his eyes are healthy but the signal to his
brain is on a short circuit and his brain has trouble recognizing
sounds. His brain injury also caused short-term memory loss. His
sense of humor is still intact, as is his will to make the most
of everyday. His compassion is also intact, the once fearsome brawler
cried when he learned Roy Jones got knocked out.
Gerald
lived his young life as a lion, and in that I mean he ruled his
domain, he was invincible for a few years and lived life to the
fullest. As someone once told me, "It's better to live just
one day as a lion, then a lifetime as a lamb." Gerald McClellan
knew what it was like to be the lion.
Boxing
is a brutal sport, and the combatants know it, shortly before his
battle with Benn, McClellan told the press that he was willing to
die in the ring instead of losing. Gerald was a warrior to the fullest
extent, he lived by the sword and was willing to die by the sword
– the sport he loved built him up and then tore him down.
Today,
his bank account is empty, medical bills took all of that and he’s
supported by his sisters who have dedicated their lives to the care
of the G-Man. His sisters work multiple jobs to make ends meet.
The promoters, managers, entourage and business partners are all
gone, when the money left, so did they. When the McClellans reached
out for financial help, few even returned calls.
“Fighters,
fans and promoters should all help Gerald” said former heavyweight
great Smokin’ Joe Frazier, who once drove 13 hours through
snow to attend a fundraiser for Gerald. “In the boxing business,
you can get your brain’s shook, your money took and your name
in the undertakers book. It’s time people pull together for
Gerald.”
Gerald
lived his life as a lion, but now he's the lamb, fortunately he
has his sister to shepherd him through the rest of his life.
PLEDGE
TO HELP GERALD McCLELLAN NOW...AND GET A LIMITED EDITION ART PRINT!
Donate
to help Gerald McClellan now and receive a signed limited edition
art print of Gerald McClellan in his prime.
The
print, painted by Hall of Fame artist Richard T. Slone, measures
16 inches by 20 inches (approx. 50.8cm x 40.6cm) and is available
in a limited quantity of only 500 worldwide for a onetime donation
of $50 or more to the Gerald McClellan Trust Fund.
All
supporters who pledge to help Gerald McClellan by donating $50 or
more will receive this magnificent limited edition art print. Checks
and money orders should be made payable to: Gerald McClellan Trust
Fund and mailed to:
Gerald
McClellan Trust
C/O Fifth Third Bank
839 E. Wyandotte
Freeport IL 61032
SEE
BELOW TO VIEW PRINT AND MAKE A DONATION
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