The Kermit Washington Story - Redemption 7 of 7

[mrbriscoe2001]

Kermit passed the Ultimate test of Character;Not wallowing in - "What Might have Been"--easy trap to fall into..

[veit0036]

Now it's become full circle. He was pushed away from the NBA from his actions, only to become a great man helping thousands.

[CharmingZombie]

kermit is finaly at peace.

Are u kidding me? All he did was punch a guy. Thats it! one punch!! What the fuck!

[AHawkins25]

@CharmingZombie Imagine yourself being judged by one moment that changed your life and follow you no matter how much you try to forget and receive death threats towards you and your family? He's been judged by that one incident for over 30 years. Read some of the comments from the other parts, he's still being judged by that one incident to this day.

[ProjectContactAfrica]

Move? as I said hindsight its 20/20. He has apologized to rudy. That is the only

Person he needed to apologize to. Not you, not me. Everyone needs to get over themselves if they expected him to apologize to them or publicly. It was one punch, done. he did not intentionally try to break his skull or try to kill him.people like yourself believe that to be his intention. A stupid belief. People just need to get over out like rudy did. If you are unable to get past it, please talk to a shrink

[dhruvygroovy15]

So many people are full of hate.

Washington and rudy t are both very good men. Yeah, the punch ruined Washington's rep, but the players, teams, the NBA and the fans have to move on from something like this, no matter how bad the situation is. There isn't a point of replaying the same scenario of being in Kermit's shoes.

[AHawkins25]

The shame of this is that Kermit is still paying for it to this day and until the day he dies. It will probably still haunt him then.

[Thanatos2k]

It is kind of sad how many people can't let this thing go with Kermit.

I mean, Todd Bertuzzi never had it this bad and he did something just as terrible.

[LazerJet27]

For those of you who saw Kermit is still getting what he deserves, you are very wrong. Put yourself in his position, and say you punched Rudy. I know its not fair to say you would have made that decision but just for this scenario, just do it. You punched him, do you think the rest of your entire life should be ruined after workign so hard to make something of your life? If I were in his position with the entire world wanting to kill me and my family, I would cry myself to sleep every night

[dzanier]

This is not a black & white incident. Race has nothing to do with why Kermit had to deal with and overcome so much after the punch. I really admire this guy for what he's done & how he's gone on with his life & made an impact. The punch was an unfortunate incident where he was wrong & reacted badly (though it's possible he though Rudy T. wasn't there to play peacemaker). 999 times out of 1000 nothing near that kind of damage occurs. I'm sure he's sorry, but he needs to say that to Rudy.

[iamcolin]

didnt see this asshole say sorry once

[easilyremembered11]

God bless you, Kermit Washington

[Sanger500]

Different day and age. The NBA was bush league in terms of officiating and on-court security. As you can see, Kareem and others had to form their own security. No way he should've gotten 10-15 seconds to boil. It was a malicious act, for sure, but the surroundings were not the best.

[lvmhecate]

I was with Kermit and Rudy... They HAVE made peace. Kermit DID apologize and offered Rudy's family everything to make it right.

[CelestialWoodway]

Douchebag Kermit. I see no remorse for hitting Rudy. Asshole.

[thenintendogamer]

RT was a civil peacemaker not a fighter. And I agree Washington never apologized to Rudy, only Rudy forgave him.. He deserved the suspension definately and deserves hate for nearly killing the guy but I gotta be fair, the hate did kinda get too far. Go Rockets!.

[sharpclay]

I remember the incident as a kid and it was horrible....... almost everyone hated him, including me. It makes me realize that he suffered more that I could have imagined just from being caught up in the moment and throwing one punch. How would you react if you were continually judged solely on one of your worst moments? Most people in his shoes would probably become the thug that they made him out to be but Kermit chose the high road and helped others.

I'm so sorry I hated you all these years

[phase23]

I met Kermit when participated in a basketball clinic for high school players in Portland and even then had to address "the punch," and his regret. He was extremely gracious and a very good coach to me a young player. However his work in Africa should be his legacy, and not one heated moment on the basketball court.

I hope in my life I am not judged by my worst moments, but by my effort to be better.

[gibbygoldy]

I like Rudy T's words at the end.  He seems like a really good guy and makes me want to follow his example

[VCthaGOATdunker]

Those children are in danger when they're near Kermit because if they run up behind him they might get punched a hole through their faces.

[phreaklyng]

It's a punch, split second decision. Kermit's suspension was called for, but past that it was taken too far. If he would have chosen not to punch Rudy wouldn't have gotten hurt. Maybe Kermit would have gotten hit, who knows?

But if Rudy would have blocked or dodged, it'd be different too. He charged an altercation and took a punch. A punch is a punch. If he would have just gotten a black eye this wouldn't have been such a big deal. The action isn't made worse because of the end result.

[aortiz147]

Also, Tomjanovich TWICE in this documentary ABOUT KERMIT WASHINGTON stated he forgive Kermit Washington for what he did. NOT ONCE did Kermit Washington ever stated he apologized or actually apologized to Rudy Tomjanovich and his family for almost killing him!! Kermit you reap what you sow, you're in Africa supposedly "making amends" to the Kenyan people for your own self gratification, what about to Rudy T and his family, hmmm???

[o3o791]

@aortiz147 dude, Kermit indeed already ask for forgiveness, ask RUDY TOMJANOVICH , you idiot..

you must listen, not watch...

you wont understand anything they say if you just watch what's happening..

YOU have to LISTEN!! dumb-ass..

ok , whatever.. Tomjanovich already forgave him.. who was the one who got punch..

but you in the other hand is a dumb hater for no personal reason... LOL

[aortiz147]

Did Kermit Washington MEAN to hurt Rudy Tomjanovich? Yes. You don't make a fist with your hand and strike another person dead in their nose, unless you mean to do harm to that person. Did Kermit Washington MEAN to hurt Rudy Tomjanovich to the point where Rudy's life was hanging in the balance? Probably not. Did Kermit Washington deserve being ostracized the way he was for the rest of his career and life? ABSOLUTELY. We are all responsible for the actions we commit, especially on nat'l TV. Cont'd

[recessrecords]

It's insane how people can't get over the one punch! Kermit helped sooooo many people,saved lives and Rudy's fine! Wise up to this fact. Who can actually say they have used their life to help this many people? I sure can't and neither can most of you.

[azdv]

Congratulations on all that you've achieved Kermit and we're glad that things are going well.

[keds2300]

sometimes these things happen for a reason. Kermit thought his life was over, but instead, he ended up using his misfortune to help others. He even enlisted the NBA to use the money collected from fines to support a great cause. What happened to Rudy T was horrible, but thankfully, the story has a good ending.

[Q115115]

WE LOVE U RON ARTEST!!!

[sincitydude31]

Kermit Washington hit a guy. Rae Carruth murdered his kid's mother and basically tried to murder his kid seeing as she was still pregnant with him. I think we can forgive Washington for what he did.

[SuperJohnnychimpo]

(sigh) MaceWindu67 Why wouldn't you want to know what Rudy T did as a player before you belitte him? He was a 5 time All Star who averaged 20 points a game in his prime!

And that, before the league expanded meaning it was more exclusive. He was posting numbers and winning games against the best of the best.

I find when I don't know anything about the subject, the less outrageous my comments, the less I have to apologize later (but your comment makes me doubt that you're an apologizer heh

[putzytheape]

Rudy was running over there to get into a fight. If he had minded his own business the whole thing apparently would have fizzled out. Kermit was just standing there, Kareem was just bear hugging the other guy, there was no real fight going on. Kermit should have just ducked or pushed rudy. Both men share equal blame in the incident.

[wmoore8]

rudy t told kermit he did;nt blame him for what happened.rudy is the one that got hit,if he could forgive why cant other people.

[macewindu67]

Fuck Rudy T. Kermit is cool with me. Rudy T punk ass wp who should have never made it in league anyway. SO there.

[wilsondylanmccartney]

God Bless Kermit Washington. Who made just one split-second mistake that cost him for the rest of his life. Everybody makes mistakes all through their lives. Everybody. But his just happened to end up raping him to the bone, for years and years. He's a good guy.

[robertmastroianni]

Oh, yes....he is the salt of the earth

[wilsondylanmccartney]

Not talking about Kermint for a second here, but why are there hundreds and hundreds of multi-millionaires, even billionaires in the United States, but yet there are millions of poor children starving and suffering and dying day in and day out in other countries. People who are filthy rich here should give their money to those who are suffering. It just doesn't make sense to me.

[chillhood]

still holding a grudge against him after all these years and all what he's been through is the inexcusable behavior. some people are just full of hate. what a pity

[tripleheshy]

@chillhood Really?? I'm white and I'm still feeling the stigma of slavery as it's constantly being held over my head even though I'm only a fourth generation American. Also, I sure as hell bet you wouldn't have wanted to go through what Rudy did. He's damn lucky he's alive today.

[chillhood]

@tripleheshy comparing a crime against humanity like slavery to a punch in the face. amazing

[tripleheshy]

@chillhood Silly me, I forgot Blacks have a monopoly on suffering.

[chillhood]

@tripleheshy I dunno why you brought that black/white talk in this discussion but obviously you have a lot of things to say. Im not here to hear them though so I'll leave you on that. rant away pal

[joboots007]

@chillhood Still lost in the 70's,eh Chill????  Move on,for once!!!!!!

[rben777]

Kermit we LOVE YOU HERE IN PORTLAND

[dwaynewadesucks]

I think Kermit has more tham made up for his mistake my becoming a better person and helping the community

[49erswillis]

Just cause he ran, doesn't give him a right to punch him. Why are all you people saying defensive What the fuck, it's not like the guy that ran up had his hand coiled back in an offensive manner. Its funny hearing people trying to rationalize his actions by saying he was acting in a defensive manner. BULLSHIT

[lwmson]

I bet you wouldn't say that if their colors were reversed.

[lwmson]

You'd probably do the same if you were in the middle of a fight that was escalating into a group fight and someone took the offensive by charging toward you. Altercations happen in sports and they will continue. What made this one so unique was the severe extent of damage that was afflicted by a player who didnt know his tremendous strength. Rudy has forgiven Kermit and moved on, and Kermit has moved on too; YOU need to do the same thing. This happened over 30 years ago. Ergo, GET OVER IT.

[49erswillis]

I'm over it, the thing I find funny was people trying to rationalize his actions thats all. And NO I wouldn't do the same, I know first hand fighting doesn't solve anything. Secondly, watch the video again he wasn't charging offensively. Read my first comment again, only thing that pisses me off is stupid people trying to rationalize his actions, thats all.

[lwmson]

What you're saying is that if you're in the middle of a fight and someone is coming at you from behind, who during this altercation happens to be on the opposing side , that you wouldn't take measures to defend yourself because you think "fighting doesn't solve anything"? You're calling people on this Web site "stupid," but who's the REAL fool here?

[TheAnomaly24]

amen. what he's been doing after basketball is great.

fuck the haters

[kevyt7]

The Bible states that we should not judge others ((Matthew 7:12). We all make mistakes and Kermit is sorry for what he did. Rudy has forgiven Kermit. Therefore, I don't know why anyone feels the need to write negative comments about Kermit. Kermit is a true gentleman and EVERYONE talks highly of him. All of us make mistakes.

[aortiz147]

@kevyt7 No A**hole, not EVERYONE ALMOST KILLS SOMEONE BY PUNCHING THEM SQUARE IN THEIR FACE WITHIN AN INCH OF THEIR LIFE AND THEN NEVER APOLOGIZING TO HIS VICTIM AND HIS VICTIM'S FAMILY. If you truly watched this FULL 7 Part Documentary, Kermit makes it all about himself and his victimization from an enraged American Public, HE NEVER ONCE APOLOGIZES TO RUDY T OR TO HIS FAMILY!!

[3scobardaprince]

wow hes a cool dude..he made a mistake, das not fair that his life gets ruined because of it..oh and he sorta looks like reverend run and magic johnson lol..(random)..

[JDogg1510]

thanks for posting that video! i just watched it all not knowing what had happened as this incident was before my time. Kermit made a mistake like many of us probably have done before and he deserves a second chance. He reacted on instinct jus like many of us would do. He deserves to be given a job in basketball....him going to africa shows exactly what type of guy he is and thats a caring person who wants to help!

[ExplosiveThinMan]

Rudy and Kermit are both good guys. What happened was terrible but they have both moved past it.

There is nobody in life that has never made a mistake or did something they regret.

Kermit is doing the best he can now. Thats all a man can do. No one can go back and change the past.

[LBjim]

@ExplosiveThinMan well said. Time heals,,

[heyaggie]

Thanks for posting that. It was well worth the time watching it.

[walktheworld]

I was living in Portland and a casual Blazer fan when he was on the team and everyone was happy to have him. Of course, the memory of the punch was there but he was obviously very contrite. Kiki was his teammate then and apparently was impressed enough to give him his brief coaching job in Denver. That says something. I doubt that he was traded from Portland because of the punch. Thanks for posting this, for the lesson in forgiveness, which is so easy to forget.

[MeredithM8119]

Aweome video! Thank you for posting this film ProjectContactAfrica, I'm so happy for Kermit to have found his passion in life. Saying that there would be nothing else for him after basketball and giving up might be easy for some, but he knew there was something else out there for him in life and now he is touching the lives of so many people. I hope that he is able to continue with the project for a long time, I wish him the best of luck and the project as well!

[zellbar]

Bravo, Kermit.

As Rudy said, in order to move on in life, you must FORGIVE. We all must.

It's a shame that moment in time happened however, there are reasons for everything.....

chillhood: it must be nice to lead a mistake-free life and if you haven't..do you want people to define you forever for ONE bad decision? We all make them. The difference is..what have you done to resolve it? Kermit has done plenty.

Rise above and forgive.

[mgbounce]

chillhood, you are an ignorant piece of shit. Get over what Kermit did. He made a mistake and has received more forgiveness than no forgiveness. What kind of person are you to show no forgiveness whatsoever?

[chillhood]

Kermit is a good person

[Hardyz1296]

thank god he finally got out of the past and left it behind

[MrBennetzen]

What can I do to help?

[belfry43]

Good thing he punched him during a professional sporting event. If he had done that on the street, he would have gotten at leat 6 months jail time.

[YaNCeY02]

What happened to Rudy was bad.. Bad but it did not ruin his life. From watching this video, i would much rather get Rudy's outcome than Kermit's. But it's nice to see that he turned it into a positive. Still a sad story tho

[Fredmullegun]

I have a hard time feeling bad for Kermit when Rudy was the one tasting spinal fluid that night.

[nooshooz]

Rudy T says that he forgives him. So, why hasn't he given him a chance to coach under him?

[ProjectContactAfrica]

Ok.. lets put yourself in Kermits Shoes. You are in the heat of a brawl.. someone from the other team books in behind you.. what do you do? assume he is coming to throw down (as he is running up behind you) or do you fight? Rudy was away from he fight, he DID NOT deserve what happened to him and Kermit is still paying for that mistake, he should have thought for a second and not run up someones back who i throwing punches.

[upabittoolate]

mr washington don't need to explain yourself or validate his actions. he's paid for it a billion times over. a broken face & jaw versus saving lives. game over

[kevjay777]

@ProjectContactAfrica You're so biased you can't be taken seriously. You blame the guy who was trying to render aid. This was a basketball game not a MMA match. Rudy cannot be blamed for this. Kermit threw the punch and he KNEW what he was doing. He's a coward who's still blaming everyone & everything else for his own actions. Rudy said years ago in order for him to overcome this thing, he had to forgive Kermit. He did & moved on. Kermit has no remorse & is still getting what he still deserves.

[ProjectContactAfrica]

@kevjay777 -- You are completely correct.. i am biased.. because i personally know kermit and have seen what he has gone through from ONE punch. Yes anyone viewing the video in slow motion can make all the comments they like with their Super 20/20 Hindsight. Not one person who can actually imagine (impossible for most haters) being in a fast paced brawl and having a player from the other team, running up behind you and honestly say they would turn around and ..what? ..... Shake his hand?

[kevjay777]

@ProjectContactAfrica I notice how you call anyone & everyone who doesn't adopt your view of it, a "hater". While their may be some I'm not one of them. I don't "hate" him I just don't respect him for one obvious glaring reason. No, NOT the punch. What he didn't do afterward. We all make mistakes including me. But after realizing it, a monumental effort to make things as right as possible with all parties must be made. He has never done that. All he's done is "Woe is ME." That's not a man.

[flledge]

@ProjectContactAfrica No he could have just moved. Owning up to your own actions is a part of life some people just can't do for whatever reason. He should have taken responsibility and publicly apologized instead of trying to justify punching someone in the face. I can easily imagine being in a fast paced brawl hell they still happen to this day in many sports and a lot of players choose not to take part in them or throw any punches.

[daddyogrande]

The truth is Kermit never was a scumbag. He is was and is a truly decent human being who made a mistake. I am not saying that because Kermit is my all time favorite NBA player. I am saying it because it is the truth. I have met Kermit on more than one occasion and he was always such a nice man. When I told him he was my all time favorite he thought I was crazy and was so humble.

Without trying to sound gay. I truly love Kermit Washington.

Thank you for posting this.

[ProjectContactAfrica]

Comment by brianjonestown was removed for indecency and immature comments. No need to use such language in such Qty. Grow up or next post will be your last.

[Brianjonestown]

Immature and indecent posts are allowed only as long as they support your drive to canonize KW. But I'll go along with your lie and cut out the language: throughout the seven instalments of this puff piece, you have taken steps to ennoble KW as a heroic "human" figure while suggesting that Rudy-T deserved to lose his face and career for rushing to the aid of a teammate. So whatever good KW has done, he seems to have an open-door policy for cowards and morons in his organization. Delete away.

[ProjectContactAfrica]

I am wondering who suggested that rudy deserved to lose his face? Rudy DID NOT deserve the result of the punch but i personally believe he deserved the punch for RUNNING into a BRAWL via kermit's back with the mindset to help stop it. If you are going to run into a fight by running up to the back of your opponent.. expect to get punched.. END OF STORY.

[DDM7406]

i didn't understand your logic. If you think your friend, teammate, family member, or someone you cared about was in a situation where they could get themselves hurt, don't you run to them instead of stroll to them? And you're gonna blame the person who got punched instead of the puncher? I really don't get your sense of thinking

[ProjectContactAfrica]

I forgot to answer the question. I would book my ass into the fight but not up the rear of the enemy....We all do not know what REALLY was going through rudy's head when he chose to run up from behind. He says he was running to stop the fight but who REALLY KNOWS...

[DDM7406]

It just seems you're going out of your way to defend a heinous act. Granted the guy turned a bad to a very good deed. I admire him so much for doing what he does for the kids in africa. What i have a beef with, is the way you defend him. You don't acknowledge his bad,eventhough Kermit himself acknowledges it.Like i said, i don't understand your line of thinking, or what your ulterior motive is.

[ProjectContactAfrica]

I have been working for Kermit for a few years and the Kermit i know is probably the kindest most generous person. He does admit it was a mistake and it was a split second decision and he pretty much got life for it. People in this forum chastise him like he pre-meditated the act. If Rudy can forgive him for his split decision mistake, why can not all of the people in this forum? Get over it.

[chillhood]

ok you want people to get over it then why do you keep discussing the incident questionning what might have been rudy t's "true intentions" (as you put it) ?

you really think that what helps people getting over it ? the last thing you wanna do is trying to justify the unjustifiable. pardonnable yes well for the primary concerned person it was and that all that really matters. so why are you doing that ???

[chokeslap]

No Rudy,

you BOTH made a mistake on that fateful day.

Yours was forgiven. Kermit's "punishment" is beyond sports. You were rewarded for running towards a fight. We are usually shot down like dogs for much less than that. (LaTasha Harlins, Malice Green, Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo, Eleanor Bumpers, and the list goes on).

We truly understand the "big, black, boogeyman syndrome" that permeates global media in reference to us.

...and Kermit has truly suffered because of it.

[alvie3]

Clearly Washington made a mistake and has shown that this moment is not representative of his true character. But listen to yourself, chokeslap - Rudy Tomjanovich was rewarded?  With a broken face? With rewards like that, who needs punishments?

[chokeslap]

no Alvie3, listen to YOURself.

You assume Tomjanovich's motives for running into a brawl were noble. That's a conditioning within this society. White is always right. Yes, this IS an issue of Black and White. We know why Kermit swung. But you ASSUME you know why Tomjanovich ran into a brawl. You give yourself licence to paint a more favorable picture of R.T.'s motives, WITHOUT knowing. Tomjanovich was in control of his own fate, just like Washington; the outcome was different.

[Brianjonestown]

LOL listen to chokeslap, who would make a racial issue out of shaving in the morning. Both posters have only repeated the insane logic of their earlier high-fiving suggestions. I assumed nothing, you drooling idiots -- I merely observed that Rudy-T was running towards his teammate to Washington's right. Washington SAW HIM COMING, planted his right foot and threw a right cross. But you guys can't admit the truth: KW was a scumbag who turned his life around. Full stop, end of story.

[chokeslap]

Brianjonestown,

when and where was I ever speaking to you? You must've confused yourself, somewhere within your self-righteous rant. If you gather yourself, and analyze YOUR OWN statement, you'll see, there's NO REASON for RT to be "running" ANY place. He made a mistake also.

[Brianjonestown]

You're speaking to everyone with your screaming willful ignorance, chokey. There was NO brawl. Jabbar stopped the fight and was holding onto one of the would-be combatants. Rudy-T, as captain, was rushing to help his teammate. Washington was the cheap-shot scumbag who ended RT's career. And now KW gives us a self-adoring stream of speeches with zero aplogy to RT?? You realize you're DEFENDING this? Give it up already.

[chokeslap]

First of all,

judging from your incessant attempts at belaboring your point, a point that you "assume" is valid and truthful, there is no use in me responding to you any further. Also, your continued disrespect for people who don't agree with you, is a good reason for you to get your own face caved in.

Now, take a hike.

[Brianjonestown]

LOL!! Listen to him!! You heard it here first, ladies and gentlemen: anyone who disagrees with the official PCA/chokeslap policy should get what Rudy-T got!!! Better to just keep the truth to yourselves lest you incur the wrath of KW's Secret Police.

[chokeslap]

Now I get it.

You see ONLY what you want to see, because, clearly, that's not what I said. I'd like for you to take your own advice. As YOU said before, if there is no "brawl," then there is no reason for you to "run up." If you let it go, like RT should have done, our conversation would be over by now. That makes sense to me.

[Brianjonestown]

RIGHT, of course Rudy-T should have just looked the other way -- after all, isn't that what a good team captain does? But he chose to be a leader, which is why Rudy-T has two NBA championships as a coach while KW couldn't even borrow a ticket to an NBA game today. The guy who got what he deserved was Kermit Washington. That should make sense to you.

[chokeslap]

Brianjonestown,

it's not a matter of being a "good" or bad team captain. You're right. He chose to be a "leader." Too bad he led with his face. The situation was already subsiding, as evinced by the calm demeanor of the ref whose job it was to quell the situation. Who was the man who threw gasoline on a smoldering fire? RT. Sorry you can't see that. Hopefully you'll do what RT should've done, and let it go.

[Brianjonestown]

The guy who lit the gasoline was KW, and he deservedly paid for it with his career. With every post you hold on tight to the Rudy-T-had-it-coming canard, so have fun with that until the next guy notices the insane stupidity of your argument -- then you can tell him he deserves to lose his face for telling the truth.

[chokeslap]

*yawn*

[jmacks3]

wow - kermit is being used by God - funny how God uses people with bad pasts'. Keep it up kermit your story encorages me.

[enfieldlondoner]

yes projectcontactafrica that is the exact definition of the term redemption. excuse me for asking but what do you do for the kermit foundation? im on a gap year and this video has inspired me to help out, cheers

[surferfishsd]

Kermit has gone to such great lengths to help the kids in Africa. It is a great story of redemption, success, and humility. Thank you for posting this series.

[enfieldlondoner]

bit harsh mate.A story of redemption means he has to come full circle from the bad times.Dont you think thats what hes done here?

[enfieldlondoner]

this really is an excellent story of redemption, congrats and respect kermit

[mj23boxbreaker]

yes very true

currently reading the punch

[rafterfan180]

this is just a pr campaign to make up for what he did and to make him seem like a sweetheart. i'm sure he was thinking of helping those children in africa when he was in the gym working out in the 70s. phony.

[ProjectContactAfrica]

Enfieldlondoner is perfectly correct. I work for Kermit. Is it not true that alot of not most people end up helping people less fortunate (financially) because something personally happenned to them to change their outlook on their lives and the lives around them?

[threeby8887]

Would you rather that Kermit DID NOT try to do anything positive for others for the rest of his life?