When I found out this morning that longtime Milwaukee sports radio host Steve Haywood passed away, I was deeply hurt. Steve was truly a passionate and great person, and despite the lingering health issues that bothered him, his spirit was never broken.
Steve was more than just a honest voice on the Milwaukee airwaves, he was a great mentor and man of wisdom for somebody like me, a young African-American journalist. In a city that lacks African-American voices on its sports team, Steve encouraged me to do that in a city we were both raised in. The first time I ever met Steve (in a hallway after a Bucks regular season game), he told me I’m one of the future voices in Milwaukee, and that I should embrace it. Being that voice in my home city has always been a goal of mine. I’ll miss Steve greatly. I often find myself alone in the Milwaukee media scrum not because of my age (22), but because of how many African-American’s are covering the city’s pro teams. Keep in mind that on the Bucks beat, I’m the only black writer, and just the second broadcaster alongside FOX Sports Wisconsin’s Telly Hughes. I will do my best to cover the team the best I can as I enter my fourth season on the beat. Thank you, Steve, for not making me feel alone in a business that often makes people feel that way. Thank you for your words of faith, encouragement and motivation. Milwaukee will miss your voice and passion, and I’ll make sure to carry that on the best I can.
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Behind the BroadcasterThis blog displays topics that interest me -- including culture, entertainment, music, and life experiences.
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