Oakland Tribune

October 27, 2004
by Monte Poole

Foyle Cleans the Boards for Democracy

OAKLAND -- -- As the search for a new era of global heroes persists mostly in vain, we often accept reassurance from those who truly care.

Like, for example, Adonal Foyle.

To know of Foyle's sociopolitical endeavors is to be inspired by his purpose and to admire the depth of his conviction.

To hear the Warriors center discuss current events is to feel his passion and to perceive his commitment to these United States.

Foyle is that rare millionaire athlete who casts his gaze upon many aspects of American society and immerses himself into causes, attempting to influence the wealthy and assist the needy. From the poorest schools in our most underprivileged regions to the polished hallways of legislature, he knocks on doors and opens minds.

While Foyle, at 6-foot-9, 255 pounds, is the typical jock insofar as his physique and fitness make the average citizen feel physically inferior, he is that rare jock who combines sensitivity with undeniable intelligence.

What makes Foyle virtually unique among today's athletes, though, is a sense of obligation so earnest and vast it makes just about all of us feel personally inadequate.

If not socially and politically irresponsible.

Though Foyle is one week away from the most significant period of his career -- he's projected for the first time as a starter -- he struggles to dedicate fully his mind, body and soul.

That's because the U.S. is six days away from making one of the most telling political statements in history.

"I see the light at the end of the tunnel," Foyle says, mentally counting down the days until the election. "When the season starts, I can cut out most of my political stuff to focus on basketball and taking care of my body."

Which leaves six more days for Foyle to engage others in the political process, which in this election year has experienced a surge of interest and participation, especially among youth.

"One of the things that pleases me most is how many people in entertainment have stepped forward and been very vocal," Foyle says. "P. Diddy and Russell Simmons and Michael Moore, just to name a few, have been extremely vocal in trying to bring young people to the polls.

"But I hope it doesn't become a once-every-four-years event. We have a tendency to be reactive. In a true democracy, you have to be a little bit more than reactive. You have to be steady."

Foyle, 29, has been nothing if not consistent in his local and national involvement, which includes sponsoring students and holding AIDS research fund-raisers in his home. He received the NBA's Community Assist Award in January 2002 and again last month.

Yet Foyle's pet project is "Democracy Matters," a non-profit political organization he co-founded in 2001 with Jay and Joan Mandle, the Colgate University professors who discovered Foyle on an island soccer field more than a decade ago and have since served as surrogate parents.

The purpose of "Democracy Matters" is to diminish the influence of private money in campaign politics. The organization has grown to more than 60 chapters on college campuses across the country.

Given the war in Iraq and numerous other tumultuous events, it would seem Foyle's timing is impeccable.

"Every generation has its awakening period, in which it becomes alive," he says. "Once they come alive, they start 'getting it.' This war might have been the awakening of this generation, in part because they are the ones fighting it. They feel they have been lied to. They feel they have been used. This is according to the letters I've read, which is only a small sample. But it seems people are paying closer attention.

"And these young people need guidance. They need to learn how to read the cues, how to understand our political system. We need to give them tools to help them become more civic-minded in the future."

Most athletes and entertainers devote themselves to their careers and families. Some indulge in opulence, owning more cars than they can drive and more TVs than they can watch.

This lifestyle is, for some, the epitome of the American dream.

Not for Foyle. Though he is the recipient of a new contract, valued at about $41 million, he remains one of the few who are actively making a positive difference beyond his plot of land. This is his American dream.

Given the sacrifice of energy and time -- Foyle says he has not had a free day since June -- I ask why he pushes so hard.

"Because I very much love what this country has to offer and the role is plays in the larger world," he says. "And when you look at the influence of this country, globally, you would think it's very important to start here and make sure that this is in fact a thriving and true model for democracy.

"I feel it's incumbent upon (us) to make sure it lives up to the ideals of being a model for democracy."

Foyle's enthusiasm for activism is refreshing, especially given the I-got-mine attitude of many of his contemporaries, many of whom are deliberately silent, busy protecting their endorsement possibilities.

Some of these folks ought to feel a measure of shame at Foyle's labor on behalf of their country -- especially when he tells you he has a ways to go before he can be granted his own U. S. citizenship.

Copyright © 2004, Oakland Tribune

Return to top ^