Tulsa World: Wayman Tisdale: Graceful legend remembered

MAKE US YOUR HOMEPAGE | Saturday, November 21, 2009 | WIRELESS

Home > Opinion > Article

Newspaper View Print this story

Comment

RSS

Bookmark

Wayman Tisdale: Graceful legend remembered

By World Editorial Writers
Published: 5/17/2009 2:32 AM
Last Modified: 5/17/2009 3:42 AM

Wayman Tisdale wasn't just a remarkable gifted athlete, he was a gentleman.

He made you proud to say you came from the same city he did.

Tisdale, 44, died Friday after a two-year struggle with cancer.

Tisdale was a basketball standout of championship teams at Booker T. Washington High School and the University of Oklahoma. He was an All-Stater in high school, a three time All-American in college, a gold medalist on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and a 12-year professional in the NBA. After his basketball career ended, he had a successful career as a jazz musician.

Throughout, Tisdale handled the spotlight with humility and grace.

In victory, he shared credit and spoke of team accomplishments not personal ones. In adversity, he never whined. He had the same infectious smile to the end.

We — the people of Tulsa and Oklahoma — will always remember Tisdale's athletic and musical accomplishments because he had a marvelous way of making us feel like we were part of them.

But more important than his medals and trophies is the example he set for us.

Wayman, Tulsa is proud of you and we will miss you. By World Editorial Writers

Newspaper View Print this story

Comment

RSS

Bookmark

Reader Comments

Show: Most Recent Comment First

Add your comment

6 comments have been made on this story so far. Tell us what you think below!

Reporting Comments

If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

	Report Comment Just1Man, (5/17/2009 6:32:16 AM) A gentleman indeed.
	Report Comment rockfan, broken arrow (5/17/2009 8:20:47 AM) Many sports stars today will be remembered for their athleticism and getting into trouble,Wayman Tisdale is being remembered for being a great human being!
	Report Comment Graychin, Eucha (5/17/2009 8:24:26 AM) Well said.
	Report Comment Proud Muslim, Tulsa: Coolest place in the world (almost) (5/17/2009 1:01:48 PM) Amen.
	Report Comment I am justme, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (5/17/2009 5:09:30 PM) WONDERFUL MAN. God be with this great family.
	Report Comment Bullhead, Nicut (5/17/2009 7:37:19 PM) Amen and Amen. Wouldn't it be wonderful if our young people would live by this Mr. Tisdale's example?!?

Add Your Comment
In order to post a comment on this article, you must sign in to Tulsaworld.com. If you do not have a site account, you can create an account for free.

Post Your Comment

Mike Strain Poll question: Has OU ever been dominated like this in Stoops era?	Dave Sittler OU probably can't just say no to a bowl
John Klein Not Pretty But it Is a Win	The Picker Stoops Needs Help
Jimmie Tramel Cheater (the one in the hoodie) doesn't prosper