DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Cleveland Cavaliers hire homeless man with "Golden Radio Voice"

I move on because I have better things to do with my time than argue with someone on your intelligence level. You really need to take a good hard look in the mirror, because if the way you are coming across on this board is any indication of how you are off of it then I really feel sorry for you. It’s ok to have an opinion of the guy but to start arguments with people because they don’t see things your way is truly pathetic. Have you ever been on drugs? You think people can just drop them like that? The truth is drugs and alcohol affects everyone different. A lot of times people try something out and are hooked, the drug takes control of their life, it’s not like he said “to hell with everything else in my life I want to be a drug head”.

This is a true display of god’s talents and compassion, and instead of looking at this as a feel good story you start bashing the guy, the Cavs, and anyone else who feels good after hearing this story! Is your life that empty that you have to try and kick a guy when he is down? Is your life so empty that you feel the need to fight and argue with people on a message board? You have the nerve to say I am walking away because I don’t want to refute your arguments? Hey genius did you not see the part where I said I am not going to argue with you and turn this into a pissing match? How do you know he wasn’t trying to turn his life around, how do you know he was happy to live on the streets? And the better question is who in the hell are you to judge this man?

What about the people that never get their break in life??? There are tons of people that have played by the rules, that never get an opportunity like this guy is getting. Let's give these folks the opportunity before a guy like Ted. The system is setup for people to get rewarded for the time they put in. This man hasn't contributed to anything for 15 years.

I'm not saying he doesn't deserve a 2nd chance. But at age 53, do you really believe this his 2nd chance.? With his long rap sheet. I don't think so. Do you think he was trying to turn things around.?? What man in their right mind stays homeless for 15 years?? But at any rate, if the guy wants to work, that's fine, but deep down I question whether he's qualified for the position. I think at the very least he should have to work for a year or two, and prove to everyone that he could meet expectations of going to work daily, being on time, etc.. Not working for 15 years, is a long time, and who knows if he could meet the demands.

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Yeah....ok.....

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you're the guy that attacked my intelligence, character, etc. Just because I have a different viewpoint. you go look at this whole thread I never got personal with anyone unless they attacked me. You're the guy that has thin skin, and can't handle the heat. Do you not read what you write.?? It's some rant about me personally. If anything is pathetic, it's your inability to have a debate/discussion without getting personal. And you want to talk about intelligence. Ignorance is bliss man.

I'm just debating my opinions. Of course I'm not paying this guy's wages. Just giving my side, isn't that what message boards are for??

I still disagree about putting your time in. This guy is getting a better job before he had his problems with drugs/ alcohol. You don't become a CEO of a fortune 500 company right after college. Look at guys like Tom Hamilton of the indians. Love the guy, but he had to work his way from the bottom, just like any guy in the business.

I don't care what job he took. Just anything to show me he could go in everyday, and function like every other hard working American. Show me he could take on the resonsability of a job, and the ability to take care of himself on a daily basis.

Again why don't most companies hire convicted felons/bums?? I don't have any data, but I would imagine that many don't work out for various reasons.

go read his posts. it's nothing but garbage, and slander.

My general reply .......

He did a lot of stupid stuff, and paid the price for it. He straightened himself out, and is now trying to make a go of it. He put himself out there, promoted himself, and got himself noticed in the right way. He didn't give up even though he had many "reasons" to do so. I can respect that.

He showed a whole lot of initiative and perseverence, and I will never disparage anyone who tries that damn hard, especially after screwing up so badly. If more people tried that hard, there would be more successful people in this world. Hopefully he will succeed, because he's a great example ..... not because he screwed up ..... but because he refused to allow making a mistake be the end of him. That's a great lesson that many people never learn.

I think you're reading too much into what his job may be with the Cavs or anyone else. He's not - I'm assuming - being hired to be the next Joe Tait. I'm assuming he'll get a few voicers, a few reads... and that's what he should be doing with that voice.

If hired by NFL Films, who wouldn't want to hear that voice under the highlights of pretty much anything football related?

The man isn't getting a lifetime contract no matter what job he gets. He'll be just like you, me, anyone - he'll have to walk a pretty straight line and should he screw up he'll be shown the door... and no one would begrudge any employer for doing so. This may not be his second chance - but it's his chance and I wish him well.

I went to school for broadcasting, I had a couple great gigs, i paid my dues as one would say but I didn't have this guy's pipes - very few do - I'm glad he get's to use them wherever he can.

I will agree with you about the kids part though. He's not going to make up for lost years with them, but perhaps with a job and a sober life he can begin to have some kind of life with them now.

where do you draw the line?? this guy been locked up many times. what about the rapist, and pediphiles?? Don't they have faults too?? What about the ones that are released from prison?? Do you give them a 2nd chance?? Since he's been clean, what attempts has he made to get off the streets.?? I'm just pessimistic this guy could turn things around.

As far as daman, I know how he is. you can't debate with him either. He gets all defensive and personal, when you disagree with him. No sense bothering with him anymore. I tried to ignore him as much as possible.

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Like I said, I'm all for 2nd chances

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As long as it meets your criteria based on what he did before and how successful he might be in his second chance....

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I know convicted felons that can't get jobs making minimum wage.

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How many convicted felons do you know? Because in reading your posts, you come across as extremely jealous that this guy is getting a break that you believe he hasn't earned.....

You have made comments about you don't make somebody a CEO right out of college and you have to pay your dues, etc... you make it sound as if this guy is being made GM of the Cavs... they are using HIS VOICE, do you think he's going to make CEO type money? Do you think he's going to have CEO type responsibility?

Just clicking...

The notion that this guy should have to "pay dues" as if this were a seniority based union is stupid. To continually fall back on such things as his rap sheet and being a deadbeat dad are stupid. Ever hear of a vicious cycle? Perhaps now he can start to catch up on those payments now that he has a job. To assume that he was staying on the streets because that was his preference is pretty shortsighted. He has a past, as do we all. Lord knows none of us are perfect, yet we all too readily climb on our moral high horse behind the wall of internet anonymity and make proclamations about this guy and that gal, etc.. I'm sure that some here have had a relatives, friends or associates that were less than savory, who we saw slipping away, but there was nothing you could do? Maybe this guy falls in that category. Shutting the door on him forever and not allowing him the opportunity to get back on his feet is not part of any system I want to be a part of. Arch had it right when he said, and I'm paraphrasing, that luck, making your own luck and just letting life happen tend to be the way most get by. So who's to begrudge this fella if he got lucky? Damn, the board is a bitter place nowadays...

edit: Think I figured it out!

Link

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The convicted felon’s speedy rise to fame is not sitting well with one Columbus businessman who called cops on Williams and a female companion in early-July. The man, a manager at National Tire & Battery, told cops that Williams and the woman were “refusing to leave the business property” and had become an “ongoing problem” for the business, according to a police report...The businessman, who only wanted to be identified as Dan, told TSG that Williams’s newfound notoriety had left him a “little aggravated.”

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Dan, is that you?

And let's not pretend this guy is a little angel, I'd expect more stories, probably worse than that one.

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I also wasnt aware that my board name was supposed to scare anyone or else i would of used Trella

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I feel sorry for all you guys, cuz "lampdogg" as a username is pretty damn intimidating. And yeah, I do "take care of business".

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How many chances???

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If I owned a business I would be hesitant to hire him. However he does have a very unique asset so I do not fault people for giving him another chance.

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What about his kids. He has 9 of them.

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Since he will be working and just about everyone in the country knows who he is they should start seeing money from him.

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who has been taking care of them for the last 15 years, since he's been homeless.??

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Not him

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how could you respect a man that walks out on his kids for drugs and alcohol??

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I can't However if he is able to make amends I can respect him for that.

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To me this guy needs to prove to everyone that he could actully go into work, and put the time in each day.

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If I was a business owner I wouldn't hire him. However I would not fault someone else if they did. The Cavs are taking a big risk on him. Hopefully he proves them right for doing so,

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What if he starts drinking again.??

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This is a risk with anyone who hires an alcoholic takes. He has been clean and sober for two years. Personally I would be okay hiring someone who has been sober for two years.

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I wouldn't be hesitant if had been taking care of himself for the past few years, but that hasn't been the case.

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The thing is we do not know what his situation has been the past two years. I'm pretty sure if he walked into the Cavs front door they wouldn't have given him a second look. I can't imagine being in that situation but if I were I would try and make some kind of tape so they could hear how special my voice was and a little background. I would also be looking to any job I could.

We don't know what kind of attempts he has made. He might have tried but had no luck because of people like us who wouldn't hire him. I wouldn't because of the risk. It seem you wouldn't because of dislike for the man. I think both are valid reasons.

I know you have been around the board for a while and I can't recall you taking such a hard line stance that was opposed to everyone else. You came across as pissed in this post and subsequent posts. Is it possible you have had some first hand experience with someone like him? As an example, a sisters ex husband?

I think in the begging you were treated unfairly by some of the posters who responded to you. It appears to me that you quickly got defensive. I think things got worse because you lashed out in response. I think you lost the high ground by your escalating responses.

I'm reading Craig Ferguson's book right now, which is autobiographical in nature. I'm only about half way through it right now, but the man was a heavy duty alcoholic, used drugs, and so on.

He went to jail at least twice (so far in the book) and was semi homeless at many times during his drinking period. (semi because he would sometimes sleep in friends apartments ..... or cars ....... )

It seems to me that with just a few different decisions (made in a drunken stupor) along the way, Ferguson's story could have parallelled this guy's story.

Now Ferguson is a star. I'm sure that there are "1 or 2" other stars in show business who also overcame a drinking or drug problem to become successful.

Maybe this guy can do the same. He took the first step, in that he got clean and sober. However, sobriety for an alcoholic is a day by day battle, and one that he'll have to fight every day of his life. Will he win that battle? Only time will tell.

After watching some more of the YouTube videos out there, this really is an amazing story. I certainly am pulling for this guy to get his life back on track and get it figured out. Sometimes those helping hands are all it takes to succeed.

And Jules, its a complaint because it causes these threads to devolve into petty arguements and personal grudges. Sorry if I dislike that and voiced my concern.

j/c

Well, he wasn't arrested, but apparently a loud argument between he and his daughter, in L.A., led to police being called. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110111/ap_on_re_us/us_homeless_radio_voice

It's fairly understandable, if it actually played out like it is in my head, that the daughter wouldn't want to sit calmly and talk about life. Thankfully there were no signs of violence.

I thought when this story broke, and I continue to hope that this guy is surrounded by someone - anyone - who actually cares about him and can guide him through this time. Going from 0-100 in about a day and a half isn't for everyone... especially someone who's had troubles in the past and doesn't have a strong foundation to fall back on.

Oh no I'm not placing any blame on the daughter - just saying I think it's pretty understandable that any conversation between them could escalate pretty quickly. I probably could have phrased that better.

Ted Williams' daughter says L.A. fight started after once-homeless dad started drinking


Published: Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 7:11 AM Updated: Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 4:45 PM
By Associated Press entertainment staff
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JACOB ADELMAN, Associated Press



LOS ANGELES — A trip to Hollywood for appearances on "Dr. Phil" and "Entertainment Tonight" got off to a rough start for an Ohio homeless man whose golden voice has made him an Internet sensation.

A disturbance report was made after Ted Williams and his daughter got into a heated argument Monday at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa.

"It was minor. Both parties were angry but there were no signs of visible abuse," Los Angeles police Officer Catherine Massey said Tuesday. She said the two "were brought in, calmed down, talked to and released" and she did not know the nature of the argument.

Williams and his daughter were held at the Hollywood police station for less than an hour and they were not arrested, Massey said.

She declined to name Williams' daughter, but a statement from "Entertainment Tonight" identified her as Janey Williams.

Ted Williams told ET in a Tuesday night show that it was a family gathering that got out of control.

"I wanted to bring it to a close by just saying 'shut the hell up and let me talk to your mother.' When that was said out of my mouth my daughter exploded, just erupted into this jump up in my face type of thing, fists started flying, none of which were mine, none of which were mine, but it could have escalated to the point where it could have gotten really ugly. So in the process of doing that, I got scratched on my face," he told ET.

Janey Williams told ET she was angry because her father, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, had resumed drinking.

"He has consumed at least a bottle of Grey Goose a night. That's not including the Coronas he ordered, that's not including the Budweisers he ordered, the other alcohol, the wines. He drinks heavily," she said.

Ted Williams denied to ET that he had been drinking.

It was not known whether the two returned to the hotel next to the Hollywood Boulevard home of the Academy Awards presentation.

"Due to guest privacy laws, we don't share details of our guests or their stays," said Dan Shaughnessy, director of sales and marketing for the Renaissance.

Williams flew into town to tape appearances on TV's "Dr. Phil" show and "Entertainment Tonight."

"Entertainment Tonight" covered his meeting with voiceover actors at a Screen Actors Guild Foundation sound studio who offered to help Williams become a guild member voiceover artist, according to a show statement.

The two-part "Dr. Phil" episode was taped over the weekend to air Tuesday and Wednesday. On the Wednesday segment, Williams meets with his ex-wife, Patricia, and five of his nine children, according to a statement from the show.

"In this emotional reunion, Williams talks openly with his family about the man he is today, the influences that threaten his sobriety and what his children can expect from him in the future. His children respond in a very raw and candid manner," the statement said.

"Everyone is pulling for Ted, but his 15 minutes are going to be over and then he'll be left to manage a life filled with temptation," host Phil McGraw said. "We're going to try and help him prepare for that because it would be a real tragedy if he did not make the most of this extraordinary second chance."

Williams, 53, trained to be a radio announcer but found his life derailed by drugs and alcohol in the 1990s. He has served time in prison for theft and forgery and has been cited with numerous misdemeanors, including drug abuse.

Williams became famous almost overnight after The Columbus Dispatch newspaper posted a Web video of him last week. Viewers were enthralled to hear a deep, honeyed professional voice coming from the shabbily dressed man.

Since then, he has done a TV commercial for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, appeared on various news shows, recorded voiceover promos for cable news and was offered an announcing job with the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.

Although he says he has been clean for more than two years, the recovering addict has acknowledged that it has been challenging dealing with sudden fame.

"I wanted a nerve pill yesterday, to be honest with you," he told CBS on Friday.



http://www.cleveland.com/people/index.ssf/2011/01/ted_williams_daughter_says_la.html#incart_hbx

If he's been drinking, especially like described, he's done for. Hate to say it, but you don't go from "two years sober" to drinking like that and jump back off quickly.... his 15 minutes are going to be up and he's going to crash and burn, being floated only by the large sums he's been paid thus far.

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I don't know, maybe I am reading it all wrong, but if they really cared before, why was he living in a tent??

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As a drunk that spends lots of time in rooms with other drunks - sometimes those that love us most just can't put up with our crap any longer, and they let us go do our own thing so that *hopefully* we'll see what we're doing, pull our heads outta our butts and stop destroying lives. Once we get sober and are able to re-earn their trust, those people welcome us back.

All that being what it is: If it was on TV, you can absolutely bet on it being staged and euphoria over money, spotlight, "glamour".