Ron Artest was told to complete five days of community service as punishment for his role in the Pacers/Pistons brawl that took place in Auburn Hills in November of 2004. Day one consisted of a Q&A session at Mathis Community Center in Detroit.
Artest served on a panel of men who either were role models, former criminals or both. It featured many warnings about inner-city life and dreams for the children. Snippets like: “I got arrested when I was 12 years old for taking a gun to school — a gun I stole from my grandma.” And: “I see greatness in each and every one of you. You are our future. You are royalty.” And: “I sold crack when I was 13.”
That last line came from Ron Artest of New York City. He said he sold the crack one time, then told his cousin he couldn’t bring himself to do it again. (And he said the cousin, whom he identified only as “Aaron,” later had his head beaten in and hasn’t been the same since.)
Later, away from the kids, Artest was asked if he thinks his role in the brawl was a mistake.
“I never say it was mistake,” Artest said Wednesday. “Somebody started trouble, and I always say I ended it. He started it and I ended it. But I never say it was a mistake. Like I told the kids, if somebody starts trouble with you, if they’re talking or if somebody hits you, you always have to protect yourself. And if you can avoid it, I will always tell somebody to avoid it.”
Good ol’ Ron.
