When athletes were heroes

Manute Bol is dead at 47. He was known mostly for his enormous size. I remember him as one of the first seven footers in the game indeed he is reputed to be the tallest player ever to play in the NBA. He was a tireless activist for peace in Sudan. He made millions but spent most of it in Sudan trying to help the people there. He even once incurred a $25,000 penalty for skipping two exposition games while attending a peace conference in DC. He is survived by his second wife and ten (!) children. The NBA could use a few dozen more like him.

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