Len Bias Statue at Northwestern High School

[Anonymous]

The local Fox news station is reporting that state senator, Victor Ramirez, would like to erect a statue of Len Bias at Northwestern H.S. I understand that he was considered a basketball great but I find his drug use and subsequent drug-death troubling. Also, Bias was not an idea student while at UMd. After reading the article, I did a real WTF doubletake. What are your thoughts on this.

[Anonymous]

OP, here. I just read a little more on his life and death and so much of it makes me cry. I do believe that he was fully responsible for his actions but it reminds me of other stories of professional athletes that are "used" by these athletic machines. Still not sure if a statue at Northwestern would be a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Wow, that brings back memories. I worked in the Maryland athletic department when Len Bias died. I watched through 18 year old eyes. I see it much differently now that I'm in my 40s.

He had a lot of good in him. And a lot of typical young man immaturity. But he was treated like a god by everyone. Everyone. I don't know how that doesn't go to your head. And it went to his. He thought (just my opinion) he was invincible.

In reality, a true tragic hero. But he is honestly a hero to many locals, particularly Hyattsville. So I see where the State Senator is coming from.

Is it a good idea? I don't know. But I don't think anyone can uncouple his completely unavoidable death from his unbelievable talent.

[Anonymous]

If we only erected statues of perfect people, there wouldn't be any statues. His is a story that should be told, especially to young teens, especially athletes. Here is a young man that could have gone so far, had so much potential, and his best years ahead of him. He made a bad choice and it cost him his life. What are you going to do with your potential?

[Anonymous]

I have no opinion of whether there should be a statue, but forgetting this story is not a good plan, from history we learn to not repeat our mistakes.

His death did put in motion CHANGE.

Best stated in this article http://blacktopxchange.com/2013/11/18/remembering-len-bias/

Here is a quote:

In the aftermath, academic standards were raised and athletic departments were subject to much more control and oversight. The poor choices of one phenomenal 22-year-old player who died of a drug overdose indicted the hypocritical infrastructure of college sports. But the outcry was only momentary.

“If it hadn’t been Lenny, and it hadn’t been right after the draft, and it hadn’t been the Celtics, nobody would have noticed,” a longtime Maryland official told Michael Weinreb, author of the fantastic ESPN piece, The Day Innocence Died. “I guess that’s the good that came out of it.”

[Anonymous]

I really don't thinj the perfect heroes argument applys here. Yes, he was a great athlete but a poor student and a drug addict.

[Anonymous]

OP, here Northwestern is my locally-zoned school . . . Although I respect his legacy, I think Ramirez can find a way to honor him without putting a statue at Northwestern. I would hope he soon turns his attention to the poor performing elementary schools in his district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really don't thinj the perfect heroes argument applys here. Yes, he was a great athlete but a poor student and a drug addict.

But, student were told by their coaches not to go to class. Adulst, who were put in charge of their well being. It was a different time. They were assets making huge amounts of money for their school.

Also, he was not an addict. He did use drugs.

[Anonymous]

I'm also not sure about a statue. I think there is a lot to be gained from talking about his life though, especially with high school students. Personally, I'd rather see the money that would have gone towards a statue put towards endowing a small scholarship for a student who struggled in school but turned things around or something like that.

[Anonymous]

Older people remember where they were when JFK died, I remember where I was and what I felt when I heard about Len Bias's death. I had just turned 19 when he died and he died on my birthday. I was in college and had my whole life ahead of me. His death is why I never indulged in hard drugs, which by the way were sweeping DC at the time and easy to get. And I know this to be true of my friends who grew up in the area. He was not an addict but a kid who helped a bunch of us grow up quick.

There was a documentary about his life. If you haven't seen it I would recommend checking it out. One of the saddest stories of my youth.