I am very selective about the television shows and movies that I watch. I’m not into suspense, horror, and chaotic reality TV. Last night I saw the movie “They Call Me Sir” for the second time. Although he managed to avoid the child welfare system, I was a bit disturbed by the portrayal of Sirr’s relationship with his aunt and her hesitance to allow him to live with her. I was also rooting for Sirr’s cousins to reconcile with their mom and leave the gang life behind.
You already know that I’m not a sports fan so it wasn’t until the end of the movie that I found out that I was watching the biography of Sirr Parker’s life – a former running back for Texas A&M University who went on to play professionally in the National Football League, the Canadian Football League, and the Arena Football League. I was glad the movie had a happy ending even though it wasn’t the one I expected.
Sirr Parker grew up in South Central Los Angeles. His family struggles included poverty, a substance abusing mother, gang-involved family members, and the death of his grandmother. Sirr spent much of his teen years caring for his younger brother. Despite his tough family life, Sirr was nearly straight-A student and earned a football scholarship to Texas A&M.
Sirr Parker continues to give back to the community from which he came from by mentoring youth who face obstacles similar to those he has overcome.
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Nicki Sanders, MSW, Chief Visionary Officer
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