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Akron's Chris Bryant uses his fame to help feed some area families
By Kim Hone-McMahan
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Sunday, Apr 27, 2008
Chris Bryant stood inside the Firestone Park Recreation Center and peeked through the glass doors at the gathering crowd. He seemed both humbled and pleased.
The people had come because of him. Certainly, they knew about the young man's talent for jumping over cars, and many of the 200 families were eager to watch him do so. But Saturday's gathering was far more important than an athlete's star talents.
In a sense, the 24-year-old was making certain the mothers and fathers waiting in line had food to feed their teenagers and money to diaper their babies.
A series of newspaper stories last year propelled Bryant to stardom. He has been on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and starred in an online Nike commercial. A while back, he even appeared at the opening of the NikeiD studio in New York.
For participating in that event, Nike promised to donate $10,000 to a charity of the athlete's choice.
Of course, it would have been easy to simply direct the money to any number of needed causes. But Bryant decided he wanted to be personally involved in how and where the money was spent. He longed to be able to meet the recipients and share part of the day with them.
On Saturday, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority families from Joy Park, Mohawk and Wilbeth Arlington Homes came to the center, where they received grocery bags of food and $25 Wal-Mart special edition gift cards with a photo of Bryant jumping over a car.
''I wanted to help people who might be short of cash and food. Life is never easy, but if I can make it a little easier, I'm glad to do it,'' he said. ''As for me, this gives me a natural high.''
Life has changed a lot for Bryant in the past year. He has an upcoming gig on Sesame Street — something that seems perfect for the soft-spoken guy who seems to be a kind of car-jumping Pied Piper. He's expected to take part in the X Games, plans to jump over 15 Chevrolet Cavaliers at the All-American Soap Box Derby and may be in an upcoming movie.
''People recognize me now,'' he said, chuckling. ''My perspective on life has changed. I've always been happy, but now I know there is something great out there because I've seen it.''
Yet many things remain the same.
He continues to bus and and wait tables part time at the Waterloo Restaurant in Akron and he lives with his sister on Lovers Lane. He's tucking the money he's making in the bank for such things as a house and a car — a Lamborghini, thank you very much.
''Is it scary?'' 10-year-old China Robertson of Joy Park asked about jumping cars.
Bryant just smiled.
''How do you do it?'' interjected Darletta Moss of Akron.
''With my feet,'' Bryant quipped.
Things like instant mashed potatoes, peanut butter, green beans, butter, bread and apple juice filled the grocery bags.
''I'll keep you in my prayers,'' a woman said to Bryant after receiving her items.
After waiting in long lines and getting wet from the spring showers, Bryant made good on his promise and jumped a Mercury Milan.
The crowd applauded and repeatedly shouted words of appreciation for their gifts.
''I'm going to love Akron until Akron doesn't love me anymore,'' he said.
Kim Hone-McMahan can be reached at 330-996-3742 or kmcmahan@thebeaconjournal.com.
Chris Bryant stood inside the Firestone Park Recreation Center and peeked through the glass doors at the gathering crowd. He seemed both humbled and pleased.
Get the full article here.
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