For the past two days I had the great privilege of hanging out with and getting to know one of the great sports icons of America: Meadowlark Lemon, the “Clown Prince of Basketball.” Meadowlark (yes, that’s his real name - actually he is Meadowlark Lemon III) won international fame as the star of the Harlem Globetrotters, the most beloved sports team in history. He has played more than 16,000 games in some 90 countries around the world.
Meadowlark was in town to speak at the South Hampton Roads Leadership Prayer Breakfast, a large regional prayer breakfast attended by local mayors, leaders from the police, fire, legal and military communities, as well as many wonderful citizens. Meadowlark became an ordained minister in 1986 and now travels the world to spread not only laughter from his basketball antics but the joy that comes from his faith.
As I spent time with him in a variety of settings, I was amazed at how people reacted to Meadowlark upon seeing him. I saw 40, 50, 60 year old (and older)men and
women become almost childlike upon meeting him. The common greeting was, “I saw you and the Globetrotters play in (Norfolk, Raleigh, Charlotte, New York City, Newark, Las Vegas, Alabama, Georgia were a few of the places named) when I was young. What a pleasure to meet you!” There were no reservations, no holding back when people met him - just pure joy. He brought back happy memories of childhood, special outings with mom, dad and friends. He brought joy.
A verse that Meadowlark shared reflected the theme of his life. John 15:11 “... so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
In my career I’ve observed the personal interaction with the public of dozens of famous people: political leaders, entertainers, religious leaders, sports figures and high level CEO’s. And while people are often excited to meet these people because of their celebrity, it was different with Meadowlark - it was like seeing a dear friend from childhood that you hadn’t seen in 30 years. There was pure joy on the faces of nearly everyone he met.
Thank you Meadowlark for spreading joy wherever you’ve gone for more than 50 years. You truly have built, “A legacy of Joy.”
