When the current Team USA Men's National Basketball team recently met Major Scott Smiley, an American hero and Purple Heart recipient, they weren't just able to shake his hand, but also got to learn a very valuable lesson from him – what it truly means to represent one's country.
Head coach Mike Krzyzewski has been known to give out inspiring speeches to his teams and motivate them to give it their all on the court. But this time it was different. He invited Smiley to speak to the Olympic squad during the start of their training to defend their gold medal in the Rio Olympics.
The courageous soldier was on duty in Iraq in 2005 when a suicide car bomb nearly killed him and took out both his eyes and a large portion of his skull. However, Smiley did not allow these injuries to take over his life.
He accomplished so much given the unfortunate event that he endured. Smiley became the first blind active-duty officer in United States Army history, finished his MBA from Duke University and even completed an iron-man triathlon. With these remarkable achievements, he has become an inspiration to a lot of people.
Now, add another person to that list in Paul George.
Smiley shared his experiences after becoming blind and paralyzed, addressed how he overcame those adversities, and ended the speech by leading a charge to the team. As transcribed by Pacers reporter Wheat Hotchkiss.
“At the Military Academy, I thought I knew what a team was, but waking up in Walter Reed Army Medical Center — blind the rest of my life, half of my body paralyzed, missing a quarter of my skull — I thought my life was over. I had nothing to fight for. I was all on my own.
“But in true fashion, my wife, my family, my friends, and just as importantly, the Army was still there. The team had surrounded me with love and compassion and helped me understand that I wasn't on my own.
“I encourage you all to have the same pride that we have wearing our flags on our shoulders, fighting for our country, serving our country, being a part of that team…and just to fight as hard as you can to bring that gold medal home.”
George took to Instagram to post a picture he took with the modern-day hero. He was very much moved by what Smiley said to them.
The rest of the teams competing in the Rio Olympics better watch out for the Pacers‘ star and the rest of Team USA. Smiley must have had fired up something in them that will put their game in another gear to defend their title.
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