Grapple.NinjaRest In Peace Tony
He was a guy that hit rock bottom and managed to turn it around in a big way. He chose to chase after his passions and ended up being extremely successful. I think he had a lot of empathy for struggling folks and he’s one of the few celebrities that actually did BJJ by taking group classes as well as competing in real competition. Most famous people take private lessons and stay as disconnected from everything as they were before. He didn’t sugarcoat shit (pun intended?).
He always looked out for the invisible guys working in the kitchen behind famous chefs too. Especially if they were hispanic, working class people busting their ass for the love of the game that never got any recognition.
Rest in peace Anthony. You left too soon and you were and continue to be an inspiration to many of us.
I got a good chuckle when someone on reddit posted this quote of Anthony when asked if he rolls with Joe Rogan:
PS: Last year 5Rings hosted a Mission 22 event that helped raise money and awareness for funding veterans to receive treatment for Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury and other issues they may be facing through Mission 22 Programs as well as many partner organizations, large-scale public art to honor veterans and creating impact in communities for the issues veterans are facing today. Supporting causes like this can help us move in a positive direction in helping our society deal with these issues.“No. I’m not rolling with that guy, it hurts. He does not roll light, he goes really really hard. He’s a neck cranker, by the way, and he’s got bowling balls for arms, no visible neck, and he only rolls with no gi. So as much as I love the guy, I’ll do anything with him; shoot animals in the brain, canoe trip, hot tubbing, whatever. But I’m not rolling with the guy.” – Anthony Bourdain
