Dikembe Mutombo, a famous NBA player known for his incredible shot-blocking skills and kind humanitarian work, has died at the age of 58. The news was announced on the NBA’s social media account.
Mutombo, who was in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and served as the NBA’s Global Ambassador, passed away after fighting brain cancer. His family was with him when he died, according to a post on the NBA’s official Twitter account on September 30.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shared a touching statement about Mutombo, praising his impact on the game and in the community. “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” Silver said.
He also mentioned Mutombo’s success as one of the best shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history. “Off the court, he dedicated his time to helping others,” Silver added.
Silver talked about Mutombo’s work as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador and his humanitarian efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout Africa. “I traveled the world with Dikembe and saw how his kindness and generosity uplifted people,” he noted.
Silver remembered Mutombo as always being friendly at NBA events, with his big smile, deep voice, and famous finger wag, which made him loved by basketball fans of all ages.
He expressed his condolences to Mutombo’s family, friends, and the global basketball community, emphasizing how much he was loved.
“Dikembe’s strong spirit lives on in those he helped and inspired throughout his amazing life. I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe’s big heart, and I will miss him dearly,” Silver reflected.
Mutombo was not just a star athlete but also a loving husband to Rose and a proud father to their three children: Jean Jacques, Carrie, and Ryan.
He often expressed his love for Rose on social media. In a post for their 27th wedding anniversary in June 2021, he wrote, “We have been through so much together; good times and bad. We cherish all that we share. Life has taken us on many journeys, but you have always been with me through it all. Love always [sic].”
Mutombo also shared many travel experiences with Rose. In October 2022, he posted about their trip to Japan, saying, “Last week in Tokyo, Rose & I had a chance to visit the Garden of the Imperial Palace.” This would be his last post with his wife.
As a father, Mutombo often shared his pride in his children. In a Father’s Day post on Instagram in June 2022, he wrote, “Our children are our whole life and that causes a lot of admiration.”
He also shared a heartfelt message to other fathers: “I wish you spend a nice day with them. Keep showing them the good way to follow by being a great father. Happy Father’s Day to dads everywhere.”
After his father’s passing, Ryan shared an emotional tribute on his private Instagram account. He called his father his “hero,” not for his fame but for his genuine kindness. “He remains the purest heart I have ever known,” Ryan said.
Ryan described his father, saying, “At times, I thought of my dad as super-human. The child in me would sigh to hear that this was never actually the case. My dad was a regular man who would do anything to honor the world, its people, and its creator. He loved others with every ounce of his being. That’s what made him so real.”
Mutombo’s commitment to family, faith, and community was a key part of his life. On his 56th birthday in 2022, he shared a message of gratitude: “Dear Lord, I thank you for giving me the chance to wish myself a happy birthday in good health and happiness. I pray for my family and friends that You will continue to grant me blessings of love and joy all my life. Amen. Happy birthday to me [sic].”
Dikembe Mutombo’s death at 58 is a huge loss for basketball and humanitarian efforts. He inspired many as the NBA’s Global Ambassador. His legacy of love, kindness, and family will continue to inspire future generations.
Rich Young Woman Mocks Poor Old Man, Two Days Later They Switch Places — Story of the Day
A rich young woman mocks the janitor at her father’s company and he decides to teach her a lesson she will never forget.
Danielle Grobber was used to having everything her own way. She was beautiful, intelligent, talented, and very, very rich. Or at least, Danielle’s father was very rich and she’d always thought of his money as hers.
So Danielle, or Danie, as her friends called her, was more than a little spoiled, but she always managed to charm her way out of trouble with her sweet talk and her dazzling smile. Then she crossed a line, and her father taught her a life lesson she would never forget.
Danielle was about to go off on a two-week dream vacation to the Caribean and had talked her father into taking her on a shopping spree. Not that Danie was in need of anything, she just loved shopping with her dad.
Unfortunately, he had to skip their lunch to attend to some urgent issues, and so she’d wandered around a bit before walking into a famous fast food restaurant and ordering herself a burger with all the trimmings, fries, a large soda, and an apple pie.
She took her order and walked back to her dad’s building which was surrounded by a well-tended lawn dotted with shady trees, comfortable benches, and murmuring fountains. She sat and ate her food while she texted her friends on her phone.
When she finished, she wiped her lips, crumpled the napkin, and carefully applied lipstick. Then she got up and started to walk away, leaving all the packaging and left-overs on the bench.
A voice stopped her in her tracks. “Excuse me, miss!” the voice said. “Please pick up your trash and put it in the bin.”
Treat everyone with respect if you want to be respected.
Danie turned around and stared at a thin elderly man in a janitor’s uniform who was sweeping the garden path. “Excuse me?” she asked. “Are you talking to ME?”
“Yes, young lady,” the man said. “This little park is for the people who work here to enjoy, and I don’t think it’s fair to leave rubbish behind.”
“I don’t clean up!” Danie said arrogantly. “People clean up for ME. People like you, the servant class — isn’t that your job? So do it — clean it up!”
The elderly man flushed. “Young lady,” he said. “My job is to keep this building and this garden spick and span but what you did is disrespectful…”
Danie interrupted him rudely. “You work for my father, which means you work for me! If I tell you to clean up, you clean up, if I tell you to lick my shoes, you lick my shoes or I’ll get you fired!”
It was at that moment that Danie heard a voice like thunder: “DANIELLE!” She turned around to find her father standing there looking furious. “Who do you think you are?” Jack Grobber asked her. “How dare you humiliate this man, who has worked for me for over 20 years. A hard-working man, with a family!”
“Daddy?” said Danie in her best little girl voice. “Please don’t be mad at me…I’m sooo sorry!” But under her sweet smile, Jack caught a flicker of mockery. Danie thought she was going to get away with this, just like she’d gotten away with everything in the past.
“Apologize to Mr. Terence, Danielle,” Jack ordered and watched as his daughter turned to the janitor with her most charming manner — but now he knew it was all an act.
“It’s my fault,” Jack thought. “I have to put this right!” But how do you undo a lifetime of indulgence and teach a young woman respect and responsibility?
Then Jack had a brilliant idea. “Mr. Terence, you look very tired!” he said. “I think you need a vacation!”
Mr. Terence smiled and shook his head. “My wife says the same, Mr. Grobber, but I’m saving up my vacation days for the end of the year so we can spend Christmas with the grandchildren!”
“That’s quite alright, Mr. Terence,” Jack said. “I’m giving you two weeks off and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Bahamas for you and your wife!”
Mr. Terence’s gaped. “Sir? The Bahamas…But who will fill in for me?”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Terence,” Jack said smiling. “My daughter Danielle will be more than happy to fill in for you, to make up for the unpleasant way she treated you.”
“WHAT?” screamed Danie, “Are you mad, daddy? I’m going on vacation…”
“Not anymore,” Jack said. “Mr. and Mrs. Terence are going in your place, and you will do his job while he is away.”
“YOU CAN’T DO THAT TO ME!” screamed Danielle. “I’m not a janitor! Cleaning toilets? Sweeping? Picking up other people’s trash? I won’t do it!”
“Yes you will,” her father said coldly. “Or I will cut off your allowance, take away that convertible…”
“It’s MY car!” cried Danie.
“No, Danielle,” Jack said quietly. “It’s MY car. I paid for it, I pay for the insurance and the gas. It’s all mine. Everything you have, I give you, so I think it’s time you learned how hard people have to work for every dollar.”
Danie knew her father very well, and by the look in his eyes, she realized she’d crossed some boundary. He would not be sweet-talked out of this crazy notion!
“You start on Monday,” Jack told her, then he turned to Mr. Terence. “And you’d better go home and pack, Mr. Terence! Bon Voyage!”
Monday morning Danie was there in her uniform, cleaning and sweeping, and emptying trash cans. By the end of the day she was exhausted, her beautiful nails were ruined, and her soft pampered hands were red and sore.
By the time Mr. Terence came back from the Bahamas with an amazing tan, Danie was quite an expert at the job and he was happy to report to Mr. Grobber that she’d left everything spick and span — no trash in the garden!
As for Danie, she never again disrespected anyone for doing a hard day’s work because she knew exactly what that felt like!
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