Benji Wilson 30 for 30

[Scoe]

One of the best stories ESPN has had in a while for those that watched it. What a tragedy, of a young man who could have been an NBA star. It does seem like the suspect killed Wilson in self defense.

 

[phillionaire]

that documentary was amazing. it was so well made. 30 for 30 is the only redeeming quality of ESPN.

 

[specialisthusky]

like phil said...30 for 30 is the only thing worth watching espn for anymore (besides games obviously). The past few 30 for 30s have been fantastic since they brought it back this season. Lots of interesting interviews. I thought the Common and R. Kelly connections were cool too. I was skeptical if the director would or even should have interviewed the killer, but appreciated that aspect of the documentary after hearing his side.

 

[aceboon]

While I don't believe the robbery aspect that the prosecution and Ben's girlfriend painted and believe the story is closer to the killer's description, I wouldn't exactly call that self defense. Great doc tho, I hadn't seen anything from Codie & Chike besides rap videos and this was very well done. His mother was very strong in the direct aftermath, I was getting a lump in my throat just from watching, I can't imagine how she held up during that time.

 

[Scoe]

I agree 30 for 30 is aside from live sporting events is the only thing worth watching on ESPN, i like how they have decided to have their series on a Tuesday night with is usually a boring sports night.

 

[Scoe]

like phil said...30 for 30 is the only thing worth watching espn for anymore (besides games obviously). The past few 30 for 30s have been fantastic since they brought it back this season. Lots of interesting interviews. I thought the Common and R. Kelly connections were cool too. I was skeptical if the director would or even should have interviewed the killer, but appreciated that aspect of the documentary after hearing his side.

the Nick Anderson connection was cool as well

 

[superjohn]

Awesome documentary and a huge tragedy. His mother was incredibly impressive, showing a dignified strength in the face of the worst tragedy. There is no way he should have died, never should have been taken to that hospital and it sure seemed that the surgeon was clueless. Have talked to some Chicago buddies who were kids and teenagers at the time of Benji's death and they've all said you wouldn't have believed how big it was in the city at the time, I think the film showed just how massive a figure he was and still is in the city. Really liked that they interviewed the killer, it sure seems like the other kid had nothing to do with Benji's death, was sad to see that he spent half his life in prison, will never know if he was a criminal before prison or if the system turned him into one.

 

[mauconnfan]

As a guy/fan who was following college hoops and recruiting at that time you certainly knew of Ben Wilson and the story of his shooting. But this was really incredible in the way his life and events were laid out. Seeing all the names thrown together from their HS days....Battle, Strickland, Anderson and so many others who you saw stay in the local universities also at that time (Illinois and DePaul)......just a tremendous story which tied together all the pieces we never really detailed back in those days. It was a tragedy which was really laid out for us to remember. Can't imagine how good Henson's team would have been if Benji was added!!!

 

[FASTEDDY]

As an avid recruitnik, particularly back then, I knew of Benji and his talents very well. I knew he was a beloved figure in the Windy City. Very well done documentary and I full concur that the 30 for 30 series is very well done.

On a negative note, I didn;t like seeing how all the local pols and preachers like that Rainbow / Push coalition clown Jesse Jackson turned this into an opportunity for themselves to promote their own causes. That funeral service, while touching and impressive in its size, was taken over by all the politicos and activists who didn;t even know Benji and used his cause to further their own interests / causes etc.

 

[mauconnfan]

As an avid recruitnik, particularly back then, I knew of Benji and his talents very well. I knew he was a beloved figure in the Windy City. Very well done documentary and I full concur that the 30 for 30 series is very well done.

On a negative note, I didn;t like seeing how all the local pols and preachers like that Rainbow / Push coalition clown Jesse Jackson turned this into an opportunity for themselves to promote their own causes. That funeral service, while touching and impressive in its size, was taken over by all the politicos and activists who didn;t even know Benji and used his cause to further their own interests / causes etc.

Yes I was impressed with the DePaul assistant who was embarrassed by the "show" Jackson and his buddies put on.....this wasn't about the kid it was about him!!!!..............

Interesting to see the interview with the shooter........he seemed like a decent man yet while he tried to make us feel he felt awful and hurt as much as Benji's mom, there wasn't the emotion you would expect from him if this were true. I could never try to put myself in his shoes, in that neighborhood and in that situation but no matter there was never a reason for him to shoot anyone. Why he is out is beyond me??!?!

 

[aceboon]

Yes I was impressed with the DePaul assistant who was embarrassed by the "show" Jackson and his buddies put on.....this wasn't about the kid it was about him!!!!..............

Interesting to see the interview with the shooter........he seemed like a decent man yet while he tried to make us feel he felt awful and hurt as much as Benji's mom, there wasn't the emotion you would expect from him if this were true. I could never try to put myself in his shoes, in that neighborhood and in that situation but no matter there was never a reason for him to shoot anyone. Why he is out is beyond me??!?!

He was 16 when he shot him, and it's not like it was some deliberate, calculated killing where he planned the whole thing, plus he hadn't demonstrated any other sick, sadistic behavior, I don't find any fault in him being released. At least he rehabilitated himself and is doing something positive. I would've liked to see them ask how did he feel about what happened to Omar Dixon, considering he basically had his life ruined, had to become a man in jail, and didn't come out and be something positive. Based on Moore's telling of the incident Dixon really had nothing to do with the shooting, getting 20 years for that is crazy.

 

[mauconnfan]

He was 16 when he shot him, and it's not like it was some deliberate, calculated killing where he planned the whole thing, plus he hadn't demonstrated any other sick, sadistic
behavior, I don't find any fault in him being released. At least he rehabilitated himself and is doing something positive. I would've liked to see them ask how did he feel about what happened to Omar Dixon, considering he basically had his life ruined, had to become a man in jail, and didn't come out and be something positive. Based on Moore's telling of the incident Dixon really had nothing to do with the shooting, getting 20 years for that is crazy.

I'm sure you saw that Dixon was dead.......out of jail and then back in for Armed robbery or something and then not sure of what occurred but he died in 2007 or something.........

Again they said Moore was a decent kid prior, good baseball player and not much trouble so I am happy he did something with himself and he seems genuine to a degree. But he killed a 17 year old kid about 27 years ago......killed as in dead.......is it fair to say his world is so different that it is acceptable and we can rehab him and not others? I believe in this case it is but where do we draw the line? Ben is not coming back.........and I love my Avatar

 

[Taco]

Just an FTI - A bunch of these are on Netflix streaming. My favs are The Two Escobars, No Crossover, Senna and Run Rickey Run.

 

[aceboon]

I don't think he's dead, I think the last caption read that he went back to jail for armed robbery in 2007.

 

[phillionaire]

Just an FTI - A bunch of these are on Netflix streaming. My favs are The Two Escobars, No Crossover, Senna and Run Rickey Run.

the entire first "season" is on netflix. the ones they're showing now are season 2.

 

[superjohn]

Dixon didn't die, he was sentenced to 40 years for armed robbery in 2007, if Moore is telling the truth and Dixon had nothing to do with Benji's death then it's a shame Dixon spent half his life in prison, you have to wonder how his life could have been different. The real tragedy is that if Benji was taken to a different hospital than St. Bernard's he never would have died.

 

[Taco]

They have 30 or so on it. They don't yet have the one on The Fab Five, but another one that was cool was The Pony Express about SMU football b/f they got the death penalty. It was unbelievable how corrupt recruiting was then. The U about Miami was pretty incredible that way too. Not quite the caliber of the episodes I wrote earlier, but definitely worthwhile.

 

[aceboon]

Dixon didn't die, he was sentenced to 40 years for armed robbery in 2007, if Moore is telling the truth and Dixon had nothing to do with Benji's death then it's a shame Dixon spent half his life in prison, you have to wonder how his life could have been different. The real tragedy is that if Benji was taken to a different hospital than St. Bernard's he never would have died.

This too, just shows how little of value there was for inner city lives if they weren't even bringing trauma victims immediately to a hospital where they could help them and only bringing them to the nearest hospital. No telling how many other unecessary deaths there were considering what the murder rate was back then with that policy.

 

[superjohn]

Lots of people died because of it, It's incredibly disturbing that it was the law to take trauma victims to the nearest hospital, there are stories about people in Englewood and other bad areas begging emt's to take them to another hospital. At least Benji's death shed more light on this and eventually had the law changed.

 

[mauconnfan]

Dixon didn't die, he was sentenced to 40 years for armed robbery in 2007, if Moore is telling the truth and Dixon had nothing to do with Benji's death then it's a shame Dixon spent half his life in prison, you have to wonder how his life could have been different. The real tragedy is that if Benji was taken to a different hospital than St. Bernard's he never would have died.

Thanks john thought I read it but appreciate you clarifying...........

 

[sportsjunky1]

like phil said...30 for 30 is the only thing worth watching espn for anymore (besides games obviously). The past few 30 for 30s have been fantastic since they brought it back this season. Lots of interesting interviews. I thought the Common and R. Kelly connections were cool too. I was skeptical if the director would or even should have interviewed the killer, but appreciated that aspect of the documentary after hearing his side.

Benji was a excellent movie BUT!! I hope you mean just shows on ESPN and not ESPN2? There is the best show that comes on Monday-Friday 10 am-12pm eastern by the name of First Take with 2 great cast members in Skip Bayless and the man Stephen A. Smith. If you don't appreciate a good program like that your crazy! #EmbraceDebate

 

[Taco]

They are a national treasure - for those who can appreciate

 

[Taco]

deep, intellectual conversation which delve deeply into the most important issues of the day. Their repartee is second to none!

 

[Taco]

Heads up, The Fab 5 is now streaming - saw it the other day and it's a good one. I would say a must see for any CBB fan! Also saw 9.79 about Ben Johnson / Track & Field / doping and I also recommend that one - it shows the origin of PEDs as we know them.

 

[Horatio]

The best thing about the ESPN 30 for 30 series is that they clear up a lot of myth and urban legend. Most people , Myself included, thought Marcus Dupree and Sam Bowie were wasted talent that didn't live up to their potential. ESPN did a excellent job with those guys. Turns out they were two potential all- time greats that just got bad injuries.