David Robinson is a 2-time NBA Champion, a former officer in the U.S. Navy, and a Hall of Famer. At age 51, Robinson has a collection of experiences not many on this planet have had.
Thanks to The Players’ Tribune, we now know what advice Robinson would have given himself at age 18 if he had the ability to.
In a letter released on Tuesday, Robinson detailed the reasons behind his entering the Navy, how it felt to sign his first NBA contract, and what it was like to fail the swimming test for the water-bound division of the United States military.
Robinson also wrote about going deeper than grit and determination, a lesson passed down to him from multiple generations:
Keeping moving the family up.
Keep working and saving and striving for a better future for your children, and for their children, even if you won’t be around to see it pay off.
That’s what your grandfather did, rain, sleet or snow.
I want you to think about your grandfather’s integrity and grit when you’re staring at the ceiling of your barracks room, but I also want you to think a little deeper. You need to learn a practical lesson. Grit alone is not going to save you from sinking.
An interesting read from one of the NBA’s all-time greats.
