Playing ball for the children
Bucs receiver Michael Clayton hosts his second Summer Jam on Sunday at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. The aim of the celebrity basketball game is to raise funds for Clayton's Generation Next Foundation, with most of this year's proceeds earmarked for the Ronald McDonald House mobile unit, which provides medical care to children in underserved communities.
By Stephen F. Holder
Published July 14, 2007
Bucs receiver Michael Clayton hosts his second Summer Jam on Sunday at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. The aim of the celebrity basketball game is to raise funds for Clayton's Generation Next Foundation, with most of this year's proceeds earmarked for the Ronald McDonald House mobile unit, which provides medical care to children in underserved communities. The Tampa Bay Pediatric Cancer Center also will benefit. ¶ For the sake of the cause, Clayton and some of his famous friends will subject themselves to ridicule by displaying their basketball skills. He is expected to be joined by Falcons running back Warrick Dunn, Bengals receiver Chad Johnson and Bucs running back Cadillac Williams, among others. ¶ To his credit, Clayton was once a promising prep basketball player. We asked him to do a little reminiscing for us on his days as a hoop star.
First, tell us why you selected this charity.
First, my wife Tina is a pediatrician and understands the need. The Ronald McDonald unit goes out into the community and gives (care) to kids who don't have insurance. They can give shots and things of that nature. I thought it was the perfect thing to get involved in because there's such a need.
Okay, honestly, can you still hoop?
I think I'm retired, man. I was thinking to myself the other day, "Man, I'm going to stop telling people that I can ball." I haven't really displayed any skills in a while. I used to be very good. But now, there's a lot of guys who take it a lot more seriously than me, and it shows. Now, if I get hot, I won't miss. But I mostly just clown around.
Can you still dunk it?
Oh, yes indeed.
How seriously did you take basketball back in the day?
I played basketball every year through high school. And basically every school that recruited me in football recruited me for basketball, too. Football came first. But I could have played both.
Which was your best?
Well, back then, it was probably (even). The same awards I got in football, I got them in basketball, too. I was (football) player of the year in high school my junior year, and (close friend and Cowboys defensive end) Marcus (Spears) was player of the year senior year with me being the runnerup. In basketball, I got Mr. Basketball two years in a row. I enjoyed it and I have a lot of respect for the guys who play it. It was my first love. I had to work real hard to get where I was.
You have a lot of football memories. Do you have a basketball memory that sticks out?
I do. My sophomore year, we went 35-5, one of the best records in our high school's history. But in the third round of the playoffs, we faced a team that had beaten us twice in the regular season. I was sick that night and I didn't think I was going to be able to play. My mom came in the locker room and prayed for me and I was throwing up everywhere. But I went out there and I think I ended up 7-of-8 from three-point range and had 35 points. We went into their house and got a victory to get to the state semifinals. I have a highlight tape that I look at once in a while to reminisce a little.
How much do you play nowadays?
Um, none. Right now, I'm trying to stay healthy. I used to get out and play about twice a week.
Who is the best non-basketball player involved in this event?
I think Marcus Spears. He's a guy who I think could have probably made it if he had stuck with basketball. He's a big-body guy who gets after it on the basketball court and can do it all. Whatever you need he can do it. He can shoot it, take it to the rack, whatever you need. You'd be surprised at 300 pounds what he can do. It's dangerous.
Who among your teammates is most impressive?
(Receiver) Paris Warren can get after it a little bit. He's a pretty nice player. And Anthony Davis is another big-body guy who gets after it, too. And, well, that's about it. Oh, and (Michael) Pittman can do a little something, and then there's me.
Who is just flat-out terrible?
Well, Alex Smith. ... Nah, I'm just kidding. But seriously, he thinks he's great. He thinks he's all that. But I will say that most of the guys who come out there come to play. I think the guys who need to stay home don't get out there in the first place. They're not trying to get embarrassed.
Which teammate has the most ups? A guy who can jump out of the gym?
Well, a lot of those guys aren't here anymore. But one was Juran Bolden. He could fly. We had Frank Murphy, too. He's another guy who can fly. They've kind of cut into our basketball team.
Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3377.