Sports stars, especially rookies with newfound fame and money, are often in the headlines for less than noble reasons. Often these athletes get mixed up in the wrong kinds of drama, be it salacious relationships or wild parties.
However, many athletes never forget the true meaning of sportsmanship: the fair and generous treatment of others. One NBA star eschewed the traditional bad boy image of the professional athlete and decided to do something incredible with his newfound fame.
The Inspiring Reason NBA Star Bismack Biyombo Started His Own Foundation
Bismack Biyombo of the Phoenix Suns chose to take last basketball season off to take care of his ailing father, François Biyombo, who had always protected and looked out for him. Unfortunately, François passed away during the season, leaving a mourning Bismack.
Instead of wallowing in his grief, Bismack decided to honor his dad in an amazing way. He made the generous decision to donate his entire $1.3 million salary to build a state of the art hospital in his home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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I wanted to make this year about my dad, because my dad spent most of his life making his life about me, my brothers and sisters, and servicing people.
Bismack Biyombo
"What I told my agent was my salary for this year would be going towards the construction of a hospital back home to give hope to the hopeless," he added.
The basketball player is a prolific philanthropist, heading up his own foundation, the Bismack Biyombo Foundation. Throughout the pandemic, Bismack also worked with his foundation to deliver over $1 million to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
How One Player From The Phoenix Suns Made a Huge Impact in His Country
The foundation focuses on athletics, education, and healthcare; it has given out 185 educational scholarships, 150 higher education opportunities, and has supported a thousand patients weekly to get treated at Congolese hospitals.
While I was trying to figure out how to find something that would motivate me this year…I remember one day, I pick up the phone and called my agent and said the only way I would do it this year was if we find a situation…one, that I fit in and two, that I would play for something.
Bismack Biyombo
Bismack Biyombo is one of the best athletes in the world, but his contribution extends far past sports. He has taken his spotlight and redirected it to the causes that need the most attention. His moves are inspiring and we hope he continues all of his amazing work!
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– Beatrix Potter
Two of Mr. Moriarty's students pose with their yearbook from 1982.WHAM via CNN / Video
man holding a yearbookWHAM via CNN / Video
Black and white photos from school yearbookWHAM via CNN / Video
Patrick Moriarty (center, blue shirt) and a group of his former students watched the solar eclipse together on Monday in New York.Caitlin Moriarty Hynick
