by Jared Day

On July 4, 1910, more than 20,000 spectators watched one of the most anticipated and controversial boxing matches in U.S. history when former heavyweight champion, James “Jim” Jeffries challenged the reigning champion of the world, John Arthur “Jack” Johnson, in Reno, Nevada. What made this the “fight of the century” was that Jeffries was White and Johnson was Black, and it was widely viewed as a signal battle between the races.

FIGHT OF THE CENTURY—1910 newspaper clipping shows James Jeffries on the canvas after being downed by Jack Johnson.

Whites tended to view a possible Johnson triumph with both scorn and fear. Scorn due to the widely held contempt Whites felt for African-Americans during this era considered by most scholars as the nadir in race relations in post-Reconstruction America and fear for what Black populations across the country might do in their exhilaration over a Johnson victory.

I am a true red, white and blue-blooded patriot with stars and stripes running through my veins but I am in need of a transfusion, posthaste. I am becoming more ill by the day reading, hearing and seeing reports about the trials, tribulations and troubles of Philadelphia Eagles’ backup quarterback Michael Vick.

Coupled with his actual deeds, some of this misinformation is manufactured and promoted by the blood­thirsty media, a few of whom seem to have a lynch mob, “Tea Party” mentality. Vick, however, does not get off the hook completely because by more than one account he is a professional football quarterback extraordinaire, but maybe a little less than that as a human being.

Without question the most memorable teammate from my 14-year pro basketball career was the late Manute Bol, affectionately known as “Nutie” by his teammates and friends. Although his 7-7 stature made him stand out in any crowd and his presence inside the lane instantly commanded attention, it was his humanitarian efforts, unique background, humor and intelligence that I came to admire most.

Manute was a man of humble yet noble beginnings. Bol Nyuol, Manute’s great-great grandfather, was a chief of the Tuic Dinka tribe. His grandfather was also a very wealthy tribal chief who was said to have had 40 wives and 80 children. Although Manute’s father was not a tribal chief nor did he inherit the family wealth, he was a well-to-do tribe member. His father was said to have had 150 cows and held the honored position of tribal elder.

HUMANITARIAN—Former NBA basketball star Manute Bol poses for a photograph at the Sunrise Sudan headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas, June 9.

Flenory scored 1,800 points at Valley High School in New Kensington and was a Parade All-American as a senior, an accomplishment earned by only 12 other WPIAL or City League basketball players. He was Pennsylvania’s high school Player of the Year in 1976 and remains among the top 15 scorers in Duquesne University history.

PROUD FAMILY—B.B. Flenory, daughter Karma, mother Tally and father Charles celebrate the New Kensington great’s induction to the WPIAL Hall of Fame.