Today I learned that the reason J. Cole got emotional the other night performing ‘Love Yourz’ in the now viral clip was because of a kid named Collin Griffin, who he met in 2017 when Collin was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Collin’s Make-A-Wish was to meet Cole, and when he passed away the next year, Cole was even mentioned in his obituary.
Collin met Cole backstage at a show in DC, and Dreamville took care of him with merch and the like. Cole even took the shoes off his feet and signed them for Collin, asking him to work hard to beat cancer.
Collin told Cole that his music has been inspirational for him and helped him get through this difficult time, to which Cole responded "No, you inspire me." Collin broke down in tears.
Fast forward to Cole’s Cleveland show over the weekend, Collin’s family attended and held up pictures of him, which Cole called out right before performing ‘Love Yourz.’
Collin loved to draw, had a great passion for music, and he lived each day to the fullest. RIP 💙🕊️
“We love Collin, man” -Cole
Cam Newton is probably the best college football player in my lifetime. A Heisman and National Title playing in a loaded SEC. With the exception of Newton, the rest of the offense went on to start a combined one game in the NFL. He carried that team to a championship.
Fun facts about the 76ers schedule:
They don’t play a game against the West until Game 18 of the season
They don’t play a game on the road against the West until Game 21 of the season
They don’t begin a Western Conference roadtrip until Christmas Day
They have the least amount of 3 games in 4 nights
They have the least amount of back-to backs
They have the max National TV games
I remember asking assistant coach Mo Cheeks, what’s harder to do? Workout after practice or before?? I only asked cuz by time I would get to the gym, Russ was already done in the morning and I usually got mine in after practice. Mo like, “coming in before practice is probably harder”…since then, it’s been my routine….a lot of people looked at the emotions on the court and thought Russ was loud, nah to me, he was quiet and methodical. He lead by example and once the lights were bright, he let everything out and experienced pure freedom. It was inspiring as his teammate and everywhere I went, I seen it inspire people from all walks of life, crazy thing is, he didn’t say much, he just showed up. For 18 years. This basketball life is sacred to us as professionals, what we put into that court means everything. Some of us wish we could go back and do things with a little more intent and some can just wipe their hands and be satisfied with the time spent. Who u gonna be? We know what zero was on…keep inspiring in the next phase of life champ. I don’t care what happens, can’t erase what it was…The first YNs, finals run in our early 20s, all star games, seeing each other get injured and bounce back, the bus rides, plane rides, card games, jokes and arguments, the whole thing, memorable!! …to the whole Westbrook family, Nina, the kids, mama Westbrook, big Russ, Ray, Donnell, everybody from luezinger high and ucla and many more that I’m forgettin, much love and Congratulations on a iconic career.
a 20/20/20 game intentionally in honor of Nipsey Hussle is probably one of the greatest feats in sports history. basically Babe Ruth pointing his bat to the stands, but for Crips.