Let's face it. There are few things on this earth better than an inspirational sports story. Well, lucky for you, I have a great one. "Ill" Will Brooks is a Lightweight Mixed Martial Artist who has shown some great potential is his still very young career. Getting off to an impressive 9-0 start, Brooks has finally begun making a name for himself in the Bellator Tournament. Unfortunately, the sad truth of MMA is that at any moment, one mistake can lead to defeat. Brooks experienced this first hand at Bellator 91, this past Thursday. After landing only one strike, Brooks got caught with a strong uppercut in the clinch. Visibly rocked, the referee let the fight go as long as he could, but ultimately had to call it due to Will's inability to defend himself. Needless to say, a 9-1 record is nothing to shake a stick at, and despite the loss, I still see Will Brooks as one of the top up and comers and a young fighter who could progress into something truly special if he continues along the path he's set for himself.
However, the reason I chose to do a write up on Will is not because of his outstanding talent, although, to be frank, that's probably reason enough. But no, what makes Ill Will stand out from the competition, is his incredible story of heart, drive, and inspiration. Will grew up in Chicago, surrounded by a world of drugs and violence that cast a shadow on everything around him. According to Brooks in his Bellator MMA Profile, "You see it in the streets, you don't think that much of it. But when it's affecting your family; affecting your mother, your father, your sister, your brother, it opens your eyes to a different world." His guardian angel and savior, in many ways, was his friend's mother, who not only treated Will like a son, but ultimately became his adoptive mother, making what everyone already knew and accepted, official in the eyes of the law. Mama J, as she is affectionately referred to, refused to let Will give up on life, due to his rough beginnings. She told him that he was going to be special, and a good man. The lesson stuck. After a long, painful struggle with cancer, his adoptive mother, the woman who in many respects saved his life, passed away.
Mama J taught Will the value of a hug and the words "I love you." This lesson was put on display after Will's first win at this year's Bellator Lightweight Tournament. In an emotional scene with his adoptive father crying in the crowd and Will in the center of the ring struggling to find his words, there wasn't a dry eye in the place. I'm sure most of the fans did not expect to tear up when they bought their MMA tickets, but it was hard not to as the raw emotion of the moment flooded over everyone in attendance. The importance of these back stories and fighter profiles go beyond the simple prospect of entertainment value. It humanizes a sport that many view as barbaric. The audience sees a killing-machine of a man who enters the ring with his sights set on dismantling his opponent. What they don't see is the hard work and determination that's required to uphold such a demanding training regimen. They don't see all the emotion and stress the fighters carry with them when they enter the ring. Once you get invested in the people wearing the gloves, the sport becomes far less barbaric, and far more heroic. Whether it be serving as an inspiration to young men and women in similar circumstances, or making a big name for himself at a young age in the increasingly competitive world of MMA, trust me when I tell you that Will Brooks is a hero.
