By Mark Haynes | Special to The OBSERVER
They overcame racism, health challenges, depression and personal tragedies – some on their way to the top of mountain, others on what can be a long way down.
On Sunday, they made it back up the mountain into the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame. The class of 2024, enshrined at its ninth annual induction ceremony at Thunder Valley Casino, includes Matt Barnes, James Donaldson, Leon Lee, Jamie Whitmore, Nick Johnson and, from the Special Olympics, Robert Bodas.
“It was a no-brainer that we wanted to partner with Special Olympics,” said veteran coach and Sacramento Sports Hall founder T.C. Martin. “It’s not just about raising money for Special Olympics with donations and that sort of thing. But we thought it would be very important to induct a Special Olympics athlete each and every year, which we’ve done since 2014.”
The evening featured pain, laughter, and tears. Each inductee delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech that left the audience in awe, just as they did during their athletic careers. Donaldson shared his experience of having everything taken from him and nearly losing his life.
The former NBA star was hospitalized in 2015 and had to have emergency open heart surgery for an aortic dissection. He was in a medically induced coma for two weeks and in intensive care for nearly three months. Donaldson lost his mother that year. His wife walked out on their marriage, and the house he lived in for 40 years went into foreclosure. The former Luther Burbank High School student lost all his businesses while fighting for his life.
“I lost everything except my life, and I was just holding on to that with my fingertips,” Donaldson shared.
Donaldson was suicidal and frustrated and often argued with God, wondering what he did to deserve what was happening to him. A year later, the 7-footer believed God gave him his answer, and it gave him a new direction in life.
“I want you to get out there and speak on behalf of mental health awareness and suicide prevention,” Donaldson said God told him. “Be a voice, an advocate, and speak for those too ashamed to speak about it. Speak for those who are hiding in the closet. Speak for those who are tore up from the floor up. We all look great on the outside, but only you know what’s happening on the inside.”
With support from family and friends, Donaldson has gotten much better. He is a best-selling author and gives motivational speeches all across the world.
Matt Barnes, stuck in an airport on account of bad weather, missed the event. His younger sister, Danielle Barnes, accepted his award on his behalf. She hilariously announced that she had to pivot from her original notes because of the other heartwarming introductions.
“So I’m going to have to kind of ad-lib here because I was really going to roast him,” Barnes said with a chuckle. “All jokes aside, Matt holds a special place in my heart besides being my brother. I think he is just a great example to young athletes that face being biracial.”
Danielle Barnes referred to her brother as a “grinder.” She said he wasn’t a great teammate when it came to chores around the house, but he was a fantastic teammate on the court and in life.
“He is not what you saw on the court,” Danielle Barnes said. “He always explained to me, because I so vehemently defend him, that that’s not who he is, that is a character, an online or on-court character that kept him in his career as a role player and a very successful basketball player.”
Matt enjoyed 14 NBA seasons and is now a successful podcaster and sports broadcaster. The thing he enjoys most, however, is being a father. When he retired, he felt like he left the game at the right time.
The only woman in this year’s class was triathlete Jamie Whitemore. She is a six-time national champion, 2004 world champion, Paralympic gold medalist, and more. But in 2008, her world got flipped upside down. At just 31 years old, she was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma, a rare bone cancer that forced removal of her glute muscle and hamstring. She had to relearn how to walk, and she later discovered she was pregnant with twins.
After beating cancer, Whitmore was determined to compete again. She began her training, and in 2011, she took part in her first para-cycling competition. She went on to win multiple championships, and at 47, Whitmore continues to compete and thrive in life and her sport.
Then there is the inductee who lived out millions of athletes’ dreams. Nick Johnson played 12 years in Major League Baseball, and his first big-league team was one of America’s most iconic franchises, the New York Yankees.
In high school, Johnson would skip class to train at Land Park. He credits his father for not punishing him and making him return to class. He played four years of varsity baseball at McClatchy High before being drafted in the third round by the Yankees.
Johnson had a career batting average of .268 and hit 95 home runs. His impressive career included a World Series appearance where he faced fellow Sac Sports Hall of Famer Derek Lee.
Now, Johnson spends his time coaching his kids and playing golf. His friends say he’s quiet and slightly boring until you get to know him.
The evening’s final inductee was Leon Lee. He’s the father of Derek Lee and brother of Leron Lee, who also is in the Sac Sports Hall. The Lees have the most enshrinees from one family, a feat that will be tough for another family to top. Derek Lee introduced his father with a joke.
“It’s an honor to be here tonight to induct my father finally,” Derek said while looking back at his father with a smile. “I don’t know what took you so long, Pop.”
Leon’s entire family was in attendance. Seeing his siblings, kids, grandchildren, and friends almost brought him to tears. The accomplishment meant a lot to him. His unique career, primarily played in Japan, got him some well-deserved acknowledgment.
“This evening is special because it’s a family night,” Leon Lee said. “I really dedicate this award and this recognition to my family. To have my oldest son and my daughter and my youngest son and my grandchildren come up to do this – very special.”
After the event, attendees gathered to meet and greet the esteemed Sacramento legends who have been a source of inspiration for many years.
The Sac Sports Hall marks its 10th anniversary next year by paying tribute to all 50 past inductees, as well as the 2025 class.