Amid the controversy surrounding Venus Williams reportedly denying a wildcard entry to the 2025 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the tournament has released a statement issuing clarification. According to director Tommy Haas, the American won’t be competing at the event, contrary to their previous notification.
Williams is presently in Denmark. The tennis legend graced Arena Naestved on Sunday, February 23, for “An Evening with Venus Williams” event, where she engaged in a conversation about the gender gap, entrepreneurship, and investments, among other things. The American’s appearance came just days after it was announced that she was slated for a competitive return, beginning with the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (March 2-16).
On Wednesday, February 19, the tournament’s official website confirmed that they had granted their initial women’s main draw wild cards to Venus Williams and Petra Kvitova, who is staging a comeback following the birth of her first child.
“The 2025 BNP Paribas Open will mark Williams’ tenth career appearance at Indian Wells, having reached the semifinal three times (1998, 2001, 2018) and competing most recently last year as a wild card,” the article read.”Kvitova will make her 13th career appearance in the desert after a 15-month absence from competition following the birth of her first child.”
However, during her event in Denmark, Venus Williams refuted the claim that she had accepted any wild card. According to the Tennis Weekly Podcast, who attended the event, the seven-time Grand Slam champion conveyed that she had work commitments overseas during the tournament.
A Message From Tournament Director Tommy Haas:
“Our team has been informed that Venus is not accepting the wild card this year. We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future.”
To address the controversy, Indian Wells issued a clarification confirming that Williams had indeed not accepted their wild card and would thus be a no-show.
“A Message From Tournament Director Tommy Haas: ‘Our team has been informed that Venus is not accepting the wild card this year. We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future,’” the statement on their X handle read.
Venus Williams resumed her tennis training before Indian Wells wild card controversy
Williams pictured at the 2024 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells – Image Source: Getty
Interestingly, Venus Williams was captured hitting the tennis court just days before it was claimed that she had agreed to compete at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The 44-year-old flaunted a stunning lavender outfit with Lacoste shoes while warming up on a sunlit hardcourt.
Williams, who’s been living her best life during her prolonged hiatus, also confirmed that she had resumed training ahead of a potential comeback in the near future. According to Tennis Weekly Podcast, she also trained in Denmark ahead of her event.
The American’s most recent competitive stint came almost a year ago at the 2024 Miami Open, where she suffered an opening-match defeat to Russia’s Diana Shnaider. Before that, she contested the Indian Wells title, where she again crashed out in the first round.
Venus Williams and Father Richard recall one match that 7-time Grand Slam champion “should have won”
Is Taylor Swift Tour taking a Toll on her Relationship? Travis Spotted with Blonde Beauty many suspects to be Oliver Dunne
Taylor Swift’s ongoing tour has been a whirlwind of success, with sold-out shows and critical acclaim following her every move. However, recent sightings of her boyfriend Travis with a mysterious blonde beauty have sparked rumors about the state of their relationship. Many suspect that the woman in question is none other than Oliver Dunne, adding fuel to the fire of speculation.
The pop sensation and her actor boyfriend have been the subject of intense scrutiny since they started dating, with fans and media alike closely monitoring their every public appearance. Travis, known for his roles in hit TV shows, has always been supportive of Taylor’s career, often seen cheering her on from the audience during her electrifying performances.
Despite their seemingly strong bond, the recent photographs of Travis with the unidentified blonde have raised eyebrows and fueled gossip about possible trouble in paradise. The mystery woman bears a striking resemblance to Oliver Dunne, a close friend of both Taylor and Travis, further complicating the situation and stirring up even more speculation.
With the pressures of fame and demanding schedules, maintaining a relationship in the public eye can be challenging for any celebrity couple. Taylor, known for pouring her heart out in her music, has always been open about her personal life, but when it comes to her relationship with Travis, she has remained relatively private.
As fans and onlookers eagerly await a statement from either party about the nature of Travis’s outing with the mysterious blonde, one thing is certain – the rumor mill is in full swing. Whether this sighting is innocent or a sign of trouble brewing between Taylor and Travis remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: the world will be watching closely for any further developments in this unfolding story.
In the fast-paced world of showbiz, relationships are constantly under the microscope, and Taylor Swift and Travis are no exception. Only time will tell if their love can withstand the pressures of fame and fortune, or if the strains of touring and public scrutiny will take their toll on this high-profile couple.
Liam Gallagher’s Savage Prank Calls to Jon Bon Jovi: ‘Eat Sh*t’ and Other Rock ’n’ Roll Antics!
Rock and roll was a form of music born out of rebellion. As the genre evolved, so too did the attitudes that surrounded it, as people donned aviators and leather jackets, cigarettes hung out of the corners of mouths, and a massive “I don’t give a fuck attitude” became a dominating voice throughout the genre. Some musicians embodied this rebellious persona more than others, with one of the most unforgiving and unrelenting voices in the genre being Liam Gallagher.
If you leave the music of Oasis and his solo work aside, which has a distinctive rock tone to it, merely reading quotes from the singer and watching interviews, you would be able to pin him down as a rock star. Whether that’s him accepting a Brit Award by throwing it into the crowd and saying “fucking live forever” or the many times he has scathed his fellow musicians, there is no escaping that Liam Gallagher remains a rock star both in sound and attitude.
Of course, while some rebellious antics might look cool, we are all often victims of giving in to our inner child, which can mean those antics become slightly more immature. Liam Gallagher isn’t immune to this, as his rebellious nature has previously manifested in countless prank calls, a series of which were aimed towards rock legend Jon Bon Jovi.
While Bon Jovi and Oasis might not fall into the same branch as rock as one another, there is no denying they are both particular giants in the genre. With a sound that resonates worldwide and a standing in music that allows them to sell out arenas in every city they travel to, you would think there is an element of shared respect there, but that’s apparently not the case.
Jon Bon Jovi recalled recently how he couldn’t pick up his phone for a certain period without receiving a prank call from Liam Gallagher. “Liam Gallagher was giving me nuisance phone calls for over a decade,” he said, “God knows how he got my number. He would ring at three or four in the morning just to tell me my music was shit.”
In true Liam Gallagher fashion, he was particularly poetic with some of his insults towards the lead singer. “Sometimes he would call me the bastard son of Richard Branson, and other times he would shout ‘Lionhead’ down the phone until I hung up. In the end, I offered to pay him $500,000 and begged him to stop. He told me to ‘Eat shit’…”
If you have ever wondered whether Liam Gallagher was a Bon Jovi fan, you have your answer. The singer has never been shy about embracing his rebellious nature, which manifested both in outlandish stunts that nearly saw him banned from television and in childish escapades like prank phone calls. That’s rock’ n roll.
Novak Djokovic has a history of retiring mid-match in tennis, which peaked between 2005-2009 when the Serb retired from seven matches. One such incident during the 2009 Australian Open drew significant criticism, including from the usually composed Roger Federer.
Djokovic was the defending champion and the No. 3 seed at that year’s Melbourne Major. He seemed on track to defend his title successfully. However, little did he know that a disastrous retirement in the quarterfinal, just three wins away from his second Grand Slam title, would be in store.
The Serb was up against American Andy Roddick in the last eight and was trailing the No. 7 seed, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2, 2-1 when he quit the game due to heat exhaustion (above 40° Celsius) at Rod Laver Arena after two-and-a-half hours of play.
Djokovic, who was 22 at that time, had a smooth start to the match. However, at the beginning of the third set, he began looking towards the player’s box and eventually requested a medical timeout to get some ice.
He subsequently returned to the match but consulted with the doctor again after some time before deciding that he could not continue his title defense. This allowed Roddick to advance to the semifinals where he lost to eventual runner-up, Roger Federer.
Following this event, Federer was asked to remark on the matter at a press conference, and the Swiss pointed out that it was not the Serb’s first time doing so, which was “disappointing.”
“He’s not a guy who’s never given up before. It’s disappointing. I’ve only done it once in my career. Andy [Roddick] totally deserved to win that match. I’m almost in favor of saying, you know what, if you’re not fit enough, just get out of here,” he said.
The six-time Australian Open winner then lauded Andy Roddick for pushing Djokovic to the limit.
“If Novak were up two sets to love I don’t think he would have retired 4-0 down in the fourth. Thanks to Andy that he retired in the end. Andy pushed him to the limits. Hats off to Andy,” Federer said.
Novak Djokovic defended his Australian Open 2009 mid-match retirement
Novak Djokovic pictured at the 2009 Australian Open
Novak Djokovic attended a press conference following his 2009 Australian Open mid-match retirement and stated that cramps and soreness throughout his body were the primary reasons for his decision.
He might have quit earlier in the game, but he persisted, hoping that treatment would help him.
“People could see that I was struggling with movement. The main reason is cramping and soreness in the whole body. I could have stopped even before, at the end of the second set, because I felt really bad. I continued on playing, thinking that something could help me out, maybe a treatment and things like that,” he said.
The Serb then hit back at the naysayers, who were questioning his motivation and desire to defend his title, saying:
“It’s easy for you to say. There is absolutely no question about whether I have motivation and will and desire to continue the match and defend my title. There is absolutely no doubt that I have it to me. My mind wanted me to continue on,” Djokovic said.
Novak Djokovic went on to win nine more Australian Open titles after this incident, adding to his title win in Melbourne in 2008. In fact, he stands as the only player, male or female, with the most singles titles in the tournament’s history.
Inside Bon Jovi’s Community Restaurants to Serve Food to The Hungry and Homeless
Many celebrities use their wealth and resources to give back to local communities. For instance, Jon Bon Jovi’s community restaurant offers “a delicious, locally sourced meal in a warm and welcoming setting while meeting our neighbors,” according to the JBJ website. However, it’s so much more. The restaurant offers payment alternatives for those struggling to make ends meet and has grown into several locations.
Jon Bon Jovi, perhaps best known for his musical talents and acting, offers something else, something heartwarming to the world. John Francis Bongiovi Jr. was born on March 2, 1962, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He went on to release more than 15 albums and 70 music videos, along with trying his hand at acting. While his career is impressive, his contributions to society are also noteworthy. Bon Jovi’s community restaurant has grown since its early days and has transformed into something much bigger.
Read More: Watch The Moment Ed Sheeran Surprised a Young Singer By Joining In Her Cover Of “Thinking Out Loud”
The Soul Foundation
Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram|Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram
Bon Jovi’s community restaurant was opened in 2011 and is part of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. The foundation was established in 2006 and has since partnered with several foundations and outreach programs. Some partnerships include Habitat for Humanity, Hamptons Community Outreach, and Mission Accomplished.
Eating at Bon Jovi’s Community Restaurant
Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram|Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram
The first location of Bon Jovi’s community restaurant is in Redbank, New Jersey and provides meals for paying and non-paying customers. Subsequently, non-paying customers can make a donation or volunteer some time to cover the cost of their meal.
Bon Jovi’s Community Restaurant Serves 3-Course-Meals
Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram|Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram
Bon Jovi’s community restaurant “serves a 3-course meal based on American Regional cuisine,” according to the restaurant’s webpage. The dishes are made with natural and locally sourced ingredients and the menu changes bi-weekly. There are no reservations required. Rather, seating is first come, first served and those in need take priority.
Supporting the Mission
Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram|Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram
Bon Jovi’s wife, Dorothea Hurley, is his high school sweetheart and shares his passion and vision, also taking part in the foundation’s contributions. “Hunger doesn’t look like what your mind’s eye might imagine. It’s the people at your church. It’s the kids that go to school with your kids. And I think that was eye-opening for a lot of the community here,” Hurley said. “However, by stigmatizing homelessness and poverty, we make it harder for those who are in need of resources to actually gain access to them.”
Read More: How Nancy Sinatra transformed from a singer to a fashion icon
Students in Need
Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram|Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram
In 2020, Bon Jovi’s community restaurant opened its third location at Rutgers University. The University’s website estimates that over 75% of the 36,000 undergraduate students receive financial aid. Therefore, many are unable to afford healthy and nutritious meals. “What we realize is that there were kids in colleges that were hungry. We all think it’s a rite of passage to study hard and eat ramen noodles,” Bon Jovi explained, questioning, “How about if it’s the only thing you can afford?”
Recalling the First Location
Image Credit: Shutterstock
“We opened our first Soul Kitchen ten years ago in Red Bank, New Jersey, after Super Storm Sandy. And the second one on Toms River, because those were the people most impacted by it.” Bon Jovi recalled, explaining his motivation to help others in need.
Helping Others is Rewarding
Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram|Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram
The rockstar explained he “gets sense of fulfillment” from dedicating himself to his foundation and helping others. “I think, when I leave here at night and you see the lives you touch. I have left here, you know, after a long night of volunteering and said, ‘That makes you feel the same kind of good.’ You know?” He added. “And that’s what I say, the way to feel good is to do good, you know? Find your good and do it.”
Community Support
Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram|Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram
Bon Jovi’s community restaurant has garnered the support of countless individuals who donate their time to cook and serve or donate food for meals. Instead, almost all the food and labor is donated, according to Hurley. As such, the foundation takes tax-deductible donations to help keep its mission going. The foundation doesn’t only help provide for Bon Jovi’s community restaurant. It also has several partners and works with countless organizations to fight hunger, poverty, homelessness, and mental health disorders.
Countrywide Partnerships
Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram|Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram
Although Bon Jovi’s community restaurants are located in New Jersey, his partnerships extend nationwide. For instance, in 2010, the JBJSF partnered with HomeAid Atlanta and Phoenix Pass on the construction of an apartment building operated by a non-profit helping provide long-term housing for families and women with children in Conyers, Georgia.
Hub of Hope
Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram|Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram
Furthermore, the JBJ Soul Foundation partnered with Project HOME in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, providing funding for years of support so the homeless in the community can shower and have their laundry done at the Hub of Hope, which also offers social services for those in the process of finding a home and those in need of medical care or recovery services.
Creating Pathways
Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram|Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram
The JBJ Soul Foundation partnered with several organizations to provide funding so Joseph’s House of Camden would maintain its current location, providing “pathways out of chronic homelessness.“ The facility provides emergency shelter, food, and on-site mental and social services.
Bon Jovi’s Community Restaurants Create a Spark
Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram|Image Credit: JBJ Soul Foundation | Instagram
Bon Jovi’s community restaurant isn’t the only avenue the rockstar has taken to help feed others, and in 2015, they worked with NJAHC on a project to create awareness of hunger and poverty, as it impacts an alarmingly high number of Americans. Photographers were asked to capture what “hunger” means to them. Powerful pieces were displayed at press events and a statewide poverty conference.
Jon Bon Jovi praises Taylor Swift “She created an industry. She utilized what she does best. She’s not trying to be something that she’s not and it is connected with an audience that is unique.”
Jon Bon Jovi recently commended Taylor Swift, expressing his admiration for her impact on the music industry. In his remarks, Bon Jovi lauded Swift for her ability to carve out a niche for herself by staying true to her unique style and connecting with her audience in a profound way. According to Bon Jovi, Swift’s authenticity and genuine approach have not only set her apart from her peers but have also enabled her to create a space within the industry that is entirely her own.
Bon Jovi’s praise for Swift’s innovative approach is a testament to the singer’s undeniable talent and unwavering commitment to her craft. By consistently leveraging her strengths and staying true to herself, Swift has managed to not only thrive in a highly competitive industry but also redefine the way artists connect with their fans.
Swift’s ability to remain authentic and relatable has undoubtedly played a significant role in her success. She has perfected the art of storytelling through her music, allowing her audience to form personal connections with her lyrics and experiences. This level of intimacy and vulnerability has endeared Swift to her fans, creating a loyal and dedicated following that continues to grow with each new release.
Furthermore, Swift’s willingness to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing music landscape has been instrumental in solidifying her status as a powerhouse in the industry. She has demonstrated a remarkable ability to stay ahead of the curve, consistently pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. This forward-thinking approach has not only earned her critical acclaim but has also cemented her position as a trailblazer in the world of music.
In conclusion, Jon Bon Jovi’s praise for Taylor Swift serves as a reminder of the impact that authenticity, innovation, and connection can have on an artist’s career. Swift’s unwavering dedication to her craft and her willingness to stay true to herself have set her apart as a true visionary in the industry. As she continues to break new ground and inspire generations of musicians to come, Swift’s influence on the music industry is sure to endure for years to come.
Bon Jovi’s Bathroom Break Turns Into ‘American Idol’ Moment – Fan Stuns Crowd!
Jon Bon Jovi is no stranger to commanding a stage, but even rock legends aren’t immune to nature’s call. On a memorable night at the Hammerstein Ballroom, in front of an intimate crowd of 250 friends, family, and industry insiders, the unexpected happened—Bon Jovi had to make a mad dash to the restroom mid-performance! What followed was an unforgettable moment that proved just how unpredictable and electrifying live music can be.
Rock ‘n’ Roll… and Restrooms?
The evening was supposed to be a special, up-close-and-personal showcase for Bon Jovi and his band, a rare treat for a select audience. The energy was high, the crowd was buzzing, and the band was in top form. But as the group launched into their iconic hit Born to Be My Baby, Jon Bon Jovi suddenly turned to guitarist Richie Sambora with a look of urgency.
“I really got to pee,” he confessed, much to the amusement of the audience. While some musicians might have fought through the discomfort, Bon Jovi decided to take a different approach—one that no one saw coming.
A Fan’s Dream Come True
Enter Matt Sneed, a die-hard Bon Jovi fan who happened to be standing nearby. With the kind of quick thinking that only a true rock aficionado possesses, Sneed immediately saw an opportunity.
“Dude, I’ll sing,” he blurted out.
To the astonishment of everyone, Bon Jovi handed him the microphone, grinned, and declared, “This is our version of American Idol!” And just like that, a random fan found himself living out a dream that millions could only fantasize about.
From the Audience to the Spotlight
The band kicked into the song again, and Sneed, with adrenaline pumping, belted out Born to Be My Baby like he had been rehearsing for this moment his whole life. Though he wasn’t Jon Bon Jovi, he held his own, and the crowd roared in approval. Richie Sambora and the rest of the band played along, clearly enjoying the spontaneity of the moment.
“I was nervous at first, but once I grabbed that mic, something just took over,” Sneed later recalled. “Singing with Bon Jovi’s band? Are you kidding me? That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Meanwhile, Bon Jovi himself managed to slip away to the bathroom, much to the relief of his bladder. He returned just in time to witness the final chorus, where he reclaimed the microphone and gave Sneed a fist bump of approval.
Fans React to the Unforgettable Moment
The audience was left in shock and awe. Some called it one of the coolest fan interactions they had ever witnessed at a concert, while others praised Bon Jovi for being down-to-earth and embracing the unexpected.
“That’s why he’s a legend,” one attendee said. “He didn’t just make a joke out of it—he actually gave a fan a moment to shine. That’s rock and roll.”
Social media exploded as soon as the story broke, with fans sharing their own concert experiences and joking about what other songs Bon Jovi might let a fan sing in case of another emergency.
What’s Next? More Spontaneous Moments?
As for whether Bon Jovi will make this a regular part of his setlist, that remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure—this hilarious, unscripted moment will go down as one of the quirkiest, most memorable in Bon Jovi’s storied career.
Sneed, now somewhat of a legend himself, summed it up best: “I don’t care if I never sing on stage again. That night, for those few minutes, I was part of Bon Jovi.”
As Bon Jovi gears up for his upcoming performances—including a massive Times Square show to launch the NFL season on September 5—fans can only hope that he remembers to take a bathroom break before hitting the stage!
NBA All-Star Devin Booker pleads for Hooters to stay afloat amid bankruptcy reports
Hooters reportedly working with creditors to restructure $300 million debt
Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.
The looming bankruptcy for Hooters has one NBA All-Star worrying.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker posted on X one day after it came out that the restaurant chain could be heading to Chapter 11.
“Plz don’t go @Hooters,” Booker tweeted after the team’s win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns looks on during Game 3 of the Western Conference playoff semifinals against the Denver Nuggets on May 5, 2023, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
Booker wasn’t the only one nervous about the restaurant’s future, with many posting to social media, including golf influencer Paige Spiranac.
“Not on my watch,” Spiranac tweeted after seeing the news.
Hooters of America is reportedly working with creditors to restructure its debt of $300 million through a Chapter 11 filing.
The chain is working with the law firm Ropes & Gray to prepare for a filing, per Bloomberg, but the plans are not final.
(Ernst Peters/The Ledger)
Hooters has closed several locations throughout the country as its business declined. Around 40 locations have shut their doors, but none where Booker is in Arizona.
Bloomberg also reported the company sold around $300 million in asset-backed bonds in 2021.
While Hooters battles to stay afloat, Booker is hoping to do the same with his Suns this season.
Phoenix is 27-29 on the year despite a talented roster, and if the season ended today, it wouldn’t make the Play-In Tournament because it is 11th in the Western Conference.
Devin Booker of Team United States looks on during practice ahead of the Paris Olympic Games on July 24, 2024, in Lille, France. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The 28-year-old is averaging 26.0 points, 6.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds in his 10th NBA season, all of which have been in Phoenix.
Overpaid Celtic Robbing the Team Blind With 2024-25 Performance
Even though there’s time to turn things around, this overpaid Boston Celtics veteran is robbing the team with his 2024-25 performance.
Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and center Al Horford (42) react after a play against the Indiana Pacers in the second half at TD Garden. | David Butler II-Imagn Images
The Boston Celtics showed zero signs of rust as they returned from the NBA All-Star Break with a 124-104 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. The victory improved the Celtics’ record to 40-16 on the year, putting them in a good spot to make a successful NBA Championship defense this postseason.
While some of the Celtics’ best players have stepped up to help them reach this point, that hasn’t been the case for everyone. In fact, it can be argued that one Boston veteran has been robbing the franchise blind with his abysmal 2024-25 performance.
Al Horford is Robbing the Celtics Blind This Season
The team-robbing veteran in question is none other than Al Horford. Although the five-time NBA All-Star has played a big role in most of the success the Celtics have seen in the last decade, there’s no denying how his current performance isn’t matching the $9.5 million salary he’s earning this season.
Horford’s numbers have been declining throughout the last few seasons, and the 2024-25 campaign isn’t an exception. Through 44 appearances (29 starts) so far, the former Florida Gator is averaging 8.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting an abysmal 40.8% from the field and 35.9% from deep.
While Horford still has solid defensive moments, his offensive play has dropped off a cliff. Not only is he on track for the third-fewest offensive win shares in his career, but he’s also posting his first negative offensive box plus/minus since his rookie campaign.
That’s without mentioning how he has more appearances with nine or fewer points (29) than he has double-digit efforts (15).
Turning things around is also paramount to Horford’s playing future. He’s set to hit free agency in the offseason, meaning he must prove that he still has juice in the tank if he wants another NBA contract — whether that’s from the Celtics or another franchise.
It’s going to be interesting to see if Horford can step things up down the stretch. While there’s no questioning his locker room leadership, he needs to improve his on-court performance if the Celtics are to become the first team in nearly a decade to win back-to-back titles.
The good news for the Celtics is that Horford’s underwhelming performance isn’t hurting their championship outlook. After all, they’re currently FanDuel Sportsbook’s odds-on favorite to win the 2024-25 NBA Finals (+175) following the All-Star Break.
I saw it right away. As soon as my mom pulled the car up to our house and we started making our way to the front door. It was there.
Growing up where we did in St. Louis, you know about this sort of thing, you hear about it. But I’d never seen it before.
A small piece of pink paper tacked to our door.
An eviction notice.
My mom broke down in tears as soon as she saw it. Whether it was heat being cut off, or the water, it always seemed like it was one problem after another. And she was hurting. She went to her room. I could hear her crying through her bedroom door.
I went to my room as well. I was just so upset — angry at myself for being so young, unable to help, with no control. Of course I was just a kid, only 8 or 9 years old, so I didn’t really understand the whole situation, but I knew enough to know what that pink paper meant.
Where are we going to live?
Who are we going to stay with?
Who is going to take care of us?
***
Way before high school, I’d already been to college. My mom had me when she was 19 years old. She was just a college freshman. But she was determined not to become another statistic, not to end up on welfare, not to drop out of school.
So she brought me to class with her.
From the time I was a baby until I was about eight years old, when my mom went to school, I went to school with her. I remember sitting in the back of her classes, eating snacks or immersing myself in books or video games. I kept quiet, listening in here and there — to me, most of her professors seemed boring and talked a lot. But I had my things to focus on, she had hers. It felt normal. So that’s what we did. When my mom couldn’t afford a babysitter and Grandma was working, we’d go to class together.
And by the time I got to sixth grade, my mom had gotten her bachelor’s and law degrees from St. Louis University.
I’ll never forget her law school graduation. All my cousins and grandparents showed up. When they called my mom’s name, I stood up in my button-down and slacks and screamed, “I love you! I’m proud of you!”
She did it, I told her her after the ceremony, but she corrected me. “We did it.”
I don’t think it really hit me until this past year, with Duke ahead of me this fall, how much Mom worked and how much she went through.
Those nights when she was still in school, we’d sit at the dining room table together. We were each doing our homework. She’d be walking back and forth from the kitchen, cooking dinner while I asked her questions about my math assignments. (Mom was the best with math, she always found a way to break things down in terms that I could understand.) And when it was my bedtime she’d tuck me in and then return to the dining room table, staying up for hours, studying, reading, making sure she was keeping up with her own schoolwork.
She’d often say to me, “Jay, don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t be. No matter what.”
When it became clear in middle school that basketball was becoming a bigger part of my life, her words only hit home even more.
I’ve been playing basketball since I could walk. My dad played in college and then for a few years as a pro overseas, which is why I didn’t see him much in those early years. But there are photos of me as a baby at his games. So you could say that the game has been part of me from the start. When I was only three years old, I had to play in the under-5 league at our YMCA because I was so much taller than the other boys my age.
When Mom found out that all I wanted to do was to play ball, she started to demand that I work just as hard in school. She didn’t want people to look at me and think, He’s only an athlete. All he can do is play basketball. He can’t speak well.
Suddenly there were new house rules. If my grades weren’t where she wanted them to be, then no basketball tournaments on the weekend.
“Yeah, sure — O.K., Mom,” I’d reply sarcastically. “My friends’ moms don’t have those rules.”
I was just being being a kid.
Big mistake. One day, she came home from a parent-teacher conference with my report card. She pointed at the two Cs I’d gotten.
She sat me down and delivered one of those talks — one of those long mom talks. If you know what I mean, you know what I mean.
When my basketball tournament rolled around that weekend, she didn’t mess around. She actually sat me out. No mercy. It was an eye-opener. I never underestimated my mom again. It only took one time.
From then on, we became a team just like we had been when she was taking me to school. At that time, she had been doing whatever she could — working two jobs, picking up side jobs cleaning people’s houses, getting her schoolwork done, on top of all her duties as my mom. Even when she got her degree, her hard work never ceased, so I needed to step up, too.
As I got taller and stronger, I started to mature in other ways. I tried hard to handle my schoolwork so she didn’t have to check up on me as much as she used to. I tried to be as independent as I could to lighten her burden a little bit. I started to wash and iron my clothes, find my own rides to the gym, cook my own breakfast in the morning — and if she was out working late, I tried to have food ready when she came home. (Future college roommate, you’re in luck: I make great tacos.)
My game got better as well.
The summer before I got to high school, I was invited to an elite basketball camp in Atlanta. There were kids there who had their own YouTube highlight videos, mixtapes, the whole thing. I recognized some other players — Josh Langford, V.J. King, Bam Adebayo — as top high school recruits. I just rolled in like the new kid. Nobody knew my name or where I was from. But by the end of the weekend, I felt like a few more people knew my name. College basketball was on my radar and, just maybe, so was a scholarship.
Heading into my freshman year of high school, Mom sat me down for one of her talks. The way I looked up to Kobe and LeBron, she said, were the way young kids in St. Louis would look up to me: I was a big-name basketball player who might make it.
Whatever I was doing off the court, she said, was just as important as the numbers I was putting up on it.
In addition to homework, Mom had me get involved with volunteer work, helping out at a homeless shelter and mentoring young student-athletes in our city. I would go to their practices and games, talk to them about problems they were facing in school. Sometimes I would get to speak at their banquets or other team functions.
I wasn’t used to giving advice. What can an 18-year-old kid tell other kids?
I would always start the same way, with a story.
When I was in elementary school, my teachers would go around the classroom asking kids what they wanted to be when they grow up. Most of my classmates would say something about how they wanted to be doctors or lawyers or teachers. I would always say, “I want to be a professional basketball player.” Usually the teacher would just smile and say, “That’s inspiring, but think of something more realistic.”
Then I’d tell those student-athletes what my mom told me.
“Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t be. No matter what.”
“I’m just like you,” I would say.“ I’m from these blocks, I played in these rec leagues, my family has had its struggles the same way yours do. There’s no special secret. Just work hard and push yourself. (And if you’re lucky, you’ll have a mom who will push you even harder.)”
When scholarship offers started arriving, every letter would make Mom cry. The call from Coach K was a dream come true — a dream she had been preparing me for these last couple of years, even if I wasn’t so sure that it would ever happen myself.
I thought the lessons were over, but I was wrong. Even when I knew I was going to Duke, Mom kept pushing me.
She’d come into my room when I was watching TV, grab the remote and ask, “Jay, if a news reporter came up to you after a game and asked you, ‘What were you thinking, coming down the stretch?’ What would you say?”
At the time, I really didn’t get what she was doing. I just wanted to watch TV.
“Mommmmmmm! Nobody’s going to come up and ask me these questions.”
But she would persist, so I ended up playing along. She’d be holding the remote in her fist under my chin, like an imaginary mic.
Looking back, it’s pretty funny, but I think it helped me prepare. Now I never get nervous when I have to talk to the media.
My mom found a way to keep our house after we got that eviction notice. Just like her college degrees, just like her late nights working multiple jobs, she found a way.
The house is nothing spectacular, just a two-bedroom, one-bathroom house. But it’s home.
Sometimes my mom and I daydream about doing something to help other single mothers who are trying to get by. We talk about turning our house into a place where a mother and child could live rent-free for a year or two while they get back on their feet — so they won’t have to go through what Mom and I did, wondering if in 30 days we’d still have a home. I hope one day that our dream can come true.
Now Duke is on my horizon. And it’s only possible because of my mom, my original college classmate.
So thank you, Mom, for making sure I was fed, for making sure we had a home, for making me the person I am today.
… and for making sure I did my homework. I promise to keep you updated on my college assignments. Besides, I know you’ll check up if I don’t.
Novak Djokovic pictured at the 2009 Australian Open
