Portland Trailblazer Meyers Leonard gets surprised by his Marine brother, home from Afghanistan and dammit, who's chopping onions in here? I mean that 100 percent with every fiber of my being. Once an athlete herself, a woman her son said would run more than 10 miles a day, she instead has been more or less housebound since James died. [14] On July 13 he signed his rookie scale contract with the Trail Blazers. [48], In April 2019, Leonard invested in FaZe Clan as a content creator. He has played just one game in the playoffs so far. [10], Leonard hosted Max Bielfeldt during his February 26 and 27, 2011 official visit and met his sister Elle for the first time. I cant fully comprehend how our world, literally and figuratively, has turned into Black and white. Meyers Leonard. So it wasn't surprising that no other team decided to sign him on a veteran's minimum contract. But also I will continue to use my platform to bring awareness to these situations because I truly know that silence is compliance and I do need to speak up. She has been mostly housebound since her husbands death. He is stubborn yet needs to be cajoled, a kid who needs structure yet requires praise. His town, population dwindling and worn down by a worn-out economy, needs a hero. On the contrary, Tracie loves her son, loves him so much that she was willing to accept help. His parents named him Meyers, which is usually the last name as a first name because it was the maiden name of his fathers mother. She's never had much. While studying there, he also participated and performed for a high school team . [53] He later apologized for using the slur, stating that he did not know what it meant. She's never asked for anything. I want to help my brother.". Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. It has to be the smoke, because my eyes are watering. Now in the Eastern Conference Finals, Miami will face Boston in hopes of advancing to the NBA Finals. It was produced/directed/shot by Matt Engel. Thats who I am. . [6], As a sophomore in 201112, Leonard averaged 13.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. O'Neil called him "something of a basketball anomaly", adding that Leonard "gained all that height without losing his coordination or his fast-twitch muscles."[2]. Golf pro. Their dog Bella was the ring bearer at their wedding. Second of all, why not? Tracie declined an interview for this story. The Leonards' father, who died in a bicycle accident when they were kids, also was born on Sept. 11. Meyers Leonard has a family. But tall tales don't always stand up so well in reality, and Meyers' freshman year was a serious reality check. Meyers is thrilled and terrified at the thought because it puts him dead in the middle of an impossible decision. Ive seen their families be impacted by these things. Leonard raised $180,000 in April by streaming himself playing video games online; that money went to causes such as Feeding South Florida, a group with which Haslem and the Heat worked closely. It started out simply. On the one hand, were saying, We want you to see things from our perspective, Iguodala said. I could tell she knew it was what I wanted, but I can never understand what it is like for a mother to hear her son say he wants to join the Marine Corps, especially during a time of war.". Im very happy I did it. Each of those individuals had their own personal reasons, just as I do.. Meyers Leonard has signed with the Milwaukee Bucks for the rest of the season, the team announced Tuesday. This wasn't the first case of him making the headlines for the wrong reasons either. NBA players react to Denver Nuggets beating Miami Heat | Game 1 of NBA Finals | Nikola Jokic on , Be the first one to comment on this story. My little brother is a good person. Leonard, born in Woodbridge, Virginia,[1] grew up in Robinson, Illinois, a small town in southeastern Illinois. Follow Dana on Twitter @dgoneil1. 1 Comment. The couple was married at the Oregon Golf Club. Maybe life would be better for Tracie, his wife. Follow us for more inspiring stories and unforgettable highlights. Leonard has two older brothers; Christian Juracich, who died in 2020 and Bailey Leonard, a former U.S. Marine who has served in Afghanistan. "And I appreciate that, but I also want to say, 'Stop apologizing. Robinson isn't a big town, and the 6,000 or so people there celebrate the good news and mourn the tragedy. On November 22, 2020, the Miami Heat announced that they had re-signed with Leonard. The following year he was selected to play for the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championships with the USA team. Folklore good. It is physical and emotional, the aches of a back that won't let her move and the heartache of being unable to see either of her boys -- one because he is overseas, fighting for his country, the other because she can't stomach the two-hour ride to Champaign. San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich stands while wearing a mask as Sacramento Kings head coach Luke Walton, center, kneels with players on July 31, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/AP), I did feel a little bit of a load lifted off my shoulders when they did that, Leonard said. Meyers still has the Barbie Princess backpack he had to wear his first year as a rookie. After the death of her father and the health situation of her mother, Meyers' older brother, Bailey joined the Marines to support the family. It wasnt an easy decision because I truly do understand and see what is going on in America right now. The one-two combination of an old horseback injury and disk surgery has left her with chronic and crippling back pain, delivering her a new double blow of cruelty -- she can't work because of the back pain but can't afford surgery because she can't work. "But there's a lot on my shoulders. I hadn't told her beforehand. Rare is the young adult on the cusp of his 20s not worrying through some sort of crossroads. "They are unbelievable people," Meyers said. Obviously this day for me is very emotional, Meyers said. [15][16] On October 31, 2012, Leonard made his NBA debut, logging 23 minutes and scoring four points against the Los Angeles Lakers. Meyers Patrick Leonard (born February 27, 1992) is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Heat center Meyers Leonard stands as teammates kneel during Saturday's playing of the anthem in the "NBA bubble" on Aug. 1, 2020. Leonard, a 7-foot center, was an All-Big Ten performer as a sophomore at Illinois before getting selected by the Portland Trailblazers with the No. He wants to do well for so many people.". Please logout and login again. [11], Leonard was drafted with the 11th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2012 NBA draft. Maybe he wouldn't be so tough, maybe he wouldn't be so strong, maybe he wouldn't be so stubborn. The two brothers shared an emotional moment tonight on Inside the NBA.Watch highlights from Inside the NBA with Shaq, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson and more! What we already know about Division I shooting accuracy for 2023-24, WTE Top 25: Kevin McCullar Jr.'s return edges Kansas over Duke for No. On the broadcast, that occurred on the 19-year anniversary of the . And it hurts me. Leonard, who is from rural Robinson, Ill., and played collegiate ball at the University of Illinois, dealt with anxiety and sleeplessness for several days as he agonized over the decision. Meyers Leonard is a lot of things -- talented and stubborn, smart and starved for praise. Leonard regularly attended the Silers' church and went on family vacations. Odds and lines subject to change. alias => "northwest\/\/portland-trail-blazers\/flashback-meyers-leonards-surprise-reunion-marine-brother", title => "FLASHBACK- Meyers Leonard's surprise reunion with Marine brother", article_body => "
If you have somehow never seen this clip, grab some tissues and hit play. <\/p>\n
Here is a piece that I cut for the finale of The Journey: Big Ten Basketball 2012 about Meyers Leonard. Featured Image by Frenchieinportland / Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 4.0. Everything she had, she gave to us. *-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@revupsports287/videos-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RevUpSports/-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RevUpSports/-Twitter: https://twitter.com/RevUpSports_-TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@revupsports_ Leonard started 51 games this season for Miami before suffering an injury. I am with the Black Lives Matter movement and I love and support the military and my brother and the people who have fought to defend our rights in this country.. For the things that he does off the court, for one, carrying himself in the highest regard and not wanting anything extra for the actions he takes, just for being a good person. It is a lot to wish for, a heavy load to carry. Meyers grew up with two siblings, Chris and Bailey. When he was in second grade, the young Leonard gained a surrogate family. They don't belong to most people. This caused a massive uproar and Leonard was eventually fined $50,000 for his actions. At least that is how he sees it. As far as the upcoming season is concerned, Leonard will not be amongst the most desired players at the beginning of free agency. He reached the NBA Finals with the Heat in 2020. Turns out: very good. "He'll do something and the next day come in and apologize," Weber said. "I want to be a kid for as long as I can be," he said. [34], On March 9, 2021, the Heat announced that Leonard would be suspended indefinitely while the NBA conducted an investigation into his use of an anti-Semitic slur during a Twitch video game livestream session. He carries a military-themed backpack, wears combat . He only saw six DNPs after the turn of the year, and grew in confidence despite limited minutes. Miami Heat center Meyers Leonard joined Fridays edition of Inside the NBA and was surprised by a special message from his brother, Bailey. It is a pack mule's burden borne by a man-child, heavy enough to topple most people. [29] On December 23, 2016, he scored a season-high 16 points off the bench in a 11090 loss to the Spurs. Eight years ago, Bailey who served two tours in Afghanistan with the United States Marine Corps surprised Meyers at an Illinois basketball practiceafter the brothers hadn't seen each other in two years. He never called Siler dad but says he is "like a dad," and Siler always respected his boundaries -- "You treat him like a son, but he's not my own," -- but offered support, guidance and discipline when needed. I didn't know I was going to do anything. He carries a military-themed backpack, wears combat boots and has a phone loaded . He gained all that height without losing his coordination or his fast-twitch muscles. ALSO READ: Who Is Mike Cernovich Wife, Height, Body Measurements, Bio. It's hard on all of us. Meyers Leonard comes from an athlete family background as his father James Leonard was a pro golf player who unfortunately died in a bicycle accident. Subscribe now to be updated on the latest videos: https://www.youtube.com/nbaontnt?sub_confirmation=1\r\rConnect with NBA on TNT:\rFollow NBA on TNT on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT\rLike NBA on TNT on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NBAONTNT/\rFollow NBA on TNT on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbaontnt/?hl=en Also, its my fathers birthday who passed when I was young. Hes always been that person for me because we have had hardship. His brother Bailey Leonard served two tours in Afghanistan with the Marines. [13] Their first date was five hours long at the University of Illinois gym. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Power forward Meyers Leonard had another reunion with his older brother, Bailey. My brother, and many close friends have sworn to protect this country at all costs, and that means something to me, as . The book and subsequent movie tell the story of Michael Oher, a boy who was homeless and didn't have much of a family life. When Meyers was in high school, he remembers his mother staring out the door and across the street at a pearl Cadillac STS sitting in the lot. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). As the Miami Heat tweeted, we should continue to honor those people and the first responders and everyone involved because there are many, many families who are still morning the losses of their loved ones. Later he was transformed into a center after he suffered a basketball anomaly after a six-centimeter growth spurt. On July 6, 2019, Leonard was traded to the Miami Heat in a four-team trade. It was produced/directed/shot by Matt Engel. I felt an overwhelming amount of emotion as I stood there during the National Anthem. "Her eyes lit up," Meyers said. Dansgaming Biography, Girlfriend, Is He Gay, Why Is He Popular? I want to be able to take care of her. Your family loves you. But with a brother in Afghanistan, a mother in pain and a small town counting on him, the Illinois big man carries on. Hes supporting us. But Saturday morning, a few hours before the anthem, Bailey Leonard, the former Marine, texted his brother and said Stay true to you. People will question, Why isnt he doing it their way? Well, hes standing by us. Later Friday, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, Man gets probation in connection with Gary woman killed over $10 marijuana debt, Man dead after hourslong SWAT standoff in West Humboldt Park, Zion man wanted in Waukegan shooting of 2 turns himself in to New Mexico police, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Gambling Problem? Theres a line in the sand, so to speak: If youre not kneeling, youre not with us. And thats not true. Power forward/Center. Meyers Leonard is a young American basketball center for the Portland Trail Blazers. They are not filthy rich -- Brian is an insurance agent -- but they are comfortable, and, more, they are Christian, holding fast to the notion that, by helping someone else, they will be rewarded 10 times over. I truly do live my life to respect others and love everyone. "They didn't have to do what they did. On November 15, 2014, with LaMarcus Aldridge scratched with an upper respiratory illness against the Brooklyn Nets, Leonard picked up the start at power forward, playing 29 minutes. Weight. Meyers was just six years old when his father died after a bicycle accident. However, he would turn his fortunes around and be re-signed by the Portland Trail Blazers with a four-year $41 million contract. Meyers Leonard gained a surrogate family when he was in 2nd grade and Brian Siler, an insurance agent in Robinson who had a son of the same age, eventually became a father figure. Thats the impact it had on me. In his first season with the Heat, Leonard was featured in 51 games (49 starts). Having a close relationship his entire life with big brother Bailey, Meyers was shocked when his brother, who was currently on duty as a U.S. Marine, flew to Illinois to surpise Meyers and watch him play for the first time in years.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n