Darryl Dawkins

My definition of a hero is someone who is honest, tries as hard as they can no matter what, someone who is confident, and someone who has made great accomplishments in their life. My hero, Darryl Dawkins, reminds me all of these things.

Darryl Dawkins was born on January 11, 1957. He was the first player ever drafted right out of high school into the NBA (National Basketball Association). He was drafted from Maynard Evans high school in Florida by the Philadelphia 76'ers. This, in itself, was a very high accomplishment that he achieved. It inspired many young high school athletes, and gave them hope and confidence that they, too, could make something of themselves someday.

Darryl Dawkins is also known as “Chocolate Thunder.” This is his most famous nickname and it comes from a famous glass-shattering dunk. After he broke the backboard, he called this, “The Chocolate Thunder flying, robinzine crying, teeth-shaking, glass-breaking, rump-roasting, bun-toasting, wham bam, glassbreaker-I-am-jam.” Then, 23 days later, Darryl broke another backboard. After that dunk, he said, “I didn’t mean to destroy it, it was the power, the Chocolate Thunder. I could feel it surging through my body, fighting to get out. I had no control over it.”

Chocolate Thunder played for 13 seasons in the NBA. After the NBA, he went on to play professionally for seven more years. He played with the Harlem Globe Trotters and internationally. Most recently, he tried out for an analyst position on ESPN’s reality show, "Dream Job."

In my mind, Darryl Dawkins led a very interesting and inspiring life. He inspired me to want to grow up and think about my life earlier than my college years.