I’m one of a very few people who were on the air in Indianapolis broadcasting back when the Mike Tyson incident occurred in Indy. I hadn’t met or spoken to Mike Tyson in twenty-two years. Not since I greeted him at the front door of the old WTLC-FM Radio Station as he walked in with singer Johnny Gill in on a July day in 1991 to be interviewed by “Super Jay” Johnson. I met Mike again a couple of hours later at the official ribbon cutting at Black Expo. He and I along with the Rev. Jesse Jackson were standing outside the entrance of the Convention Center. The contestants in the Miss Black American pageant were lined up wearing their pageant sashes along the circular driveway. The girls squealed and giggled when they saw Tyson and Tyson giggled and teased back. Then Rev. Jackson touched Tyson’s shoulder saying “Mike, we’re not here for that”.
I hadn’t seen or spoken to Mike Tyson in person until now. As I had twenty-two years ago, I stood at the front door of WTLC as Mike Tyson entered to be interviewed on AM1310 The Light and our sister radio stations Radio Now 100.9 and Hot 96.3
The Mike Tyson I greeted at the door today (February 12th) is now forty-six. A man wiser, self assured yet a bit cautious; more at peace with himself and his condition in life.
I interviewed Mike Tyson briefly and asked him to address, not issues of boxing or even what happened between him and Desiree Washington in that Canterbury Hotel room that July night. I didn’t ask him about the trial and his years incarcerated in Indiana. I asked Mike Tyson about what lessons he could share with those in our community who have made mistakes; paid penalties or suffered from those mistakes, what he could say to them about surviving and moving on with their lives. Mike Tyson’s message to them and all of us is deep, thought provoking and gives you an insight into how life and his mistakes and struggles have changed him. Into a change I believe is for the better. Click the Link to Hear My Talk With Mike Tyson. Runs 5 Minutes ©2013 WTLC/Radio One.
