Last Thursday, Gloria James, mother of famous basketball player LeBron James, was arrested outside a Miami Beach hotel for battery and disorderly intoxication.
According to reports, a valet retrieved her car and handed the keys over to the cashier while Gloria talked to fans. The people had recognized the woman due to her highly-public profile with her past run-ins with the law. Suddenly, Gloria demanded to know where her car was and, when valet, Rockfeller Sokel, attempted to explain to her that the car had been in the front for the past half hour, Gloria, highly-intoxicated, replied, “where are my [expletive] keys,” and slapped him.
The tirade continued until the oh-so-mild-mannered woman lost her balance and fell to the ground with the grace that only a drunk could possess. She was then arrested.
Gloria’s alcohol-induced temper tantrum continued at the police station. Once in jail, she ranted about how she wanted to trust the police, but that, “I don’t trust your kind.” More words of wisdom spewed from her drunken mouth as she professed that she had done nothing wrong. Apparently, vicious profanities and violence don’t fall under her moral code of right and wrong. Then again, this is the woman who took a loan out based on her son’s future earnings.
This isn’t Gloria’s first go around with alcohol and arrest. In 2006, she lost her license for a year after driving under the influence in Akron, Ohio. Even then she claimed it wasn’t her fault. You have to give the woman credit for consistency.
It’s clear that Gloria feels that being mother of a famous athlete means she is entitled to special treatment. However, she should realize that, just because you’re related to someone famous, it doesn’t mean you can misbehave. LeBron’s wife has never assaulted a store clerk for not bringing her an outfit quickly enough. His children have never been in trouble for school fights.
And she is not the only one who has a famous child. NSU has some nationally ranked sports stars. It’s not as though the SCC players have parents who go around demanding special considerations because their kids have sports cred. That’s because they feel proud, not privileged.
This sense of entitlement is not unique among families of the famous, but it doesn’t excuse Gloria’s behavior. Despite her claims at the police station, she did do something wrong. It doesn’t surprise me that she doesn’t trust the police. She probably dislikes anyone who holds her accountable, regardless of who she is related to. It wouldn’t surprise me if she didn’t trust anyone who’s willing to knock her off that pedestal she’s placed herself on.
Her son is the famous one. LeBron is the man who has earned the right to be revered. And, yet, he hasn’t been arrested nor has he used his fame for special favors. I can’t help but wonder that it’s because the man has worked so hard, that he doesn’t take his fame for granted. Unlike his mother, he doesn’t feel entitled, he feels empowered. And with that power, he doesn’t take from the world. He gives back.
