A Faithful Man – Warriors MVP Steph Curry is more than a jump shot
2014-2015 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player. Stephen Curry, holds his trophy during the MVP ceremony. He is the first MVP on the Warriors since Wilt Chamberlain in 1960. Photo by F.D. Purcell
By F.D. Purcell
“Still on a high,” were the words of Regina Jackson the day after receiving a new vehicle for her community center. The President, CEO and Executive Director of the East Oakland Youth Development Center in Oakland for the past 13 years, she and her staff have been using an older, beat-up van to carry students to various programs.
On Tuesday, after he was presented with the 2014-2015 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player, Golden State Warriors Guard Stephen Curry walked over to the black 2016 Kia Sorento LX CUV and handed over the keys to Jackson and her excited staff.
“I got a message around 10:30 pm last night and told that I had been chosen to receive the car,” said Jackson.
“I called up a couple of parents and told them that I needed to borrow their kids for a couple of hours the next day,” she said with a laugh.
As part of its support of the Kia NBA MVP Award, Kia Motors America donated the vehicle on behalf of Curry who finished balloting with 100 first place votes.
“It’s very important to give back. Four wheels can do a lot of good,” said Curry. “It’s important for athletes to explore outside of their bubble and impact the life of others.”
The face of the league, Curry has made it his mission to give back not only nationally, but globally as an ambassador for Nothing But Nets, a grassroots program that raises awareness about malaria. Earlier this year, he spoke at the White House about the number one killer in Africa and how it can be prevented.
The two-time All-Star has also been vocal about his faith, which he credits for all that he does on the court. While most may think he’s beating on his chest out of passion for the game when he makes a great play, that’s just part of it. It’s actually because of his faith.
“I do a little sign on the court every time I make a shot or good pass, and I pound my chest and point to the sky, and that symbolizes that I have a heart for God,” Curry said.
He also said he and his mom Sonya came up with the signal while he was in college.
While strolling the streets of New York with good friend and college roommate, Bryant Barr during the All-Star Weekend in February, Curry came upon a large group of young African-American men. According to Barr he then took the group into a nearby store and bought them all a pair of his signature Curry Ones – Charged by Belief basketball shoes, just because.
“That’s just the type of guy he is,” said Barr.
During a time when claiming faith is a sensitive issue and an athlete’s arrest record is more common than the score of the game, it’s refreshing to see a man of faith like Curry. Driven by his faith, passion, drive and will, Curry’s profile is listed as a believer, husband, father and son to his two million Twitter followers.
“I am just blessed and thankful to be where I am,” Curry said during his MVP press conference.
The Bay Area is blessed and thankful that you’re a representation of a class act on and off the court.
For more on Nothing But Nets visit: www.nothingbutnets.net.
Follow F.D. Purcell @sportsinthebay_
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