“Meadowlark was the most sensational, awesome, incredible basketball player I’ve ever seen,” Wilt Chamberlain

Long before there was Steff Curry, Michael Jordon and Lebron James, there was Meadowlark Lemon. A true entertainer, ambassador and one of the best basketball players who have ever to travel with the Harlem Globetrotters.

He is a man with incredible basketball mental toughness, a Globetrotters legend and is truly dedicated to his work.

Known as the “Clown Prince” of Basketball, Lemon played 350 games a year – totaling over 16,000 in his career — and was entered into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

During Meadowlark’s time, the Globetrotters quickly spread the name of basketball as “Ambassadors of good will in short pants” — a term coined by many presidents.

The encouragement to keep going is the best way to overcome the mental obstacles, and that important mental game skill can often be found in the most opportune places. On The NBA news talk show, Sean Hannity once asked Meadowlark, “How did you make all of those half-court shots?” Meadowlark simply answered, “I didn’t think I could miss.” It was such a poignant and confident statement that shows his philosophy of letting go the fear of failure.

Meadowlark had instilled this idea of diminishing fear and limitations to find success even after his career with the Harlem Globetrotters had ended. Meadowlark stand on a foundation that nothing happens by chance and failure or fear were not options. There were two specific hindrances that Meadowlark had targeted as reasons why people don’t find their passion.

You are either too young or too old – it should never be the reason you do not pursue your dreams. Meadowlark once responded, “I’m ageless,” and it’s true. He continued to say, “You are only as old as you think,” because with that mentality, nothing can stop one of the greatest basketball players in history.

You have to analyze your life without money; you need to take your passion in life from the standpoint that money is never the real issue. Pursue your passion and it will always outweigh the financial barriers. Most importantly, realize that if you really love what you are doing, people will be there to support you when you need it. It may not be on the level you expect, but they will be there to hold your head above water.

Meadowlark Lemon had lived out this mindset and proved what happens when you stop thinking about barriers. After he first saw the Globetrotters at that theater in Wilmington, he wanted to play, but couldn’t afford a basketball and hoop. To follow his dream, Meadowlark made his own makeshift basket out of a coat hanger and an old onion sack, and then started tossing an empty can of Carnation milk through the ‘hoop’.

Several decades and tens of thousands of games later, Meadowlark had continued to practice and play basketball no matter what the price was to him. Meadowlark Lemon had never retired from basketball and never planned to. He wanted to spread the words he learned playing his favorite game and his favorite way to do it.

Meadowlark had specifically helped young athletes to develop their mental game and show them how to apply it on and off the court. He taught young athletes the importance of setting goals to improve their mental game in basketball.

From different charity games around the world to preaching as an ordained minister and leading at Camp Meadowlark – a camp teaching basketball psychology and life skills – Meadowlark had continued to supercharge audiences worldwide with his high energy, warmth, humor and inspiring message of finishing strong and how to live a life of joy.

Meadowlark often mentioned one of his favorite quotes to go along with any of the talk that he did. Michael Jordan said, “Don’t make a million dollar move and a ten cents finish.”

That was exactly what Meadowlark was set out to do. Even more important was that he did so without the fear of failure and continued to lead a life of impact.

What a good example for all of us searching for encouragement. Well done. You will be truly missed. RIP

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