Chadwick Boseman: ICON | HERO | WARRIOR | LEGEND

 

Photo Courtesy: Dave Hogg

"You have to cherish things in a different way when you know the clock is ticking, you are under pressure." This quote from Chadwick Boseman is incredibly hard to digest as we now know the context of it. August 28th, 2020, possibly fittingly marks 75 years since then Brooklyn Dodgers President and General Manager Branch Rickey first notified Jackie Robinson of their intentions to make him the face of integration in the game of Baseball. Due to COVID-19 delaying the start of the 2020 Major League Baseball season, Jackie Robinson Day held annually on April 15th of every season to memorialize and celebrate Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier was pushed to yesterday, August 28th. 

Little did I know, as I was retweeting highlights of Randal Grichuk's walk off home run for the Blue Jays against the Orioles that news would break of Chadwick Boseman's passing due to colon cancer at the age of 43. For those who are still confused by the context of this piece, it was Boseman who famously portrayed Robinson in the 2013 biopic 42 with a truly transcendent performance that will not only continue to serve as a legacy defining film to honour the late, great Jackie Robinson but also a piece to point to for the man who brilliantly stepped into his cleats on screen. 

Boseman's resume is beyond impressive, even more so when you take into account that he shot SEVEN movies while going through treatments and surgeries to battle his disease and never announcing it publicly. Much like his role as King T'Challa in the worldwide phenomenon of Marvel Studios Black Panther he was a real life superhero in every sense of the word. As tributes and stories continue to pour in on social media from former co-stars, friends, family, and fans. It is easy to see the impact he has made on so many in his life professionally and personally.

His work on-screen will continue to live on, and much like Jackie Robinson in 1947, Boseman was a trailblazer himself to some extent in his own industry. He was never being afraid to take risks, explore his passion for storytelling and creating an identity that will live on vividly for generations. I have watched many of his works with great joy solely because of his performances, and the education of the events and icons he has immortalized on screen will always serve as reminders to me personally what life is truly about; discover your passions, put them on display to impact as many people in a positive way as possible, and that you do not need to be the King of Wakanda to make a difference. You simply have to work hard everyday at being the best you possible. Whether it's on the field, in front of the camera, or simply doing good in your community. 

Yesterday, we lost another icon in a year marred by loss. Having said that, I know August 28th is a day I will mark on my calendar to honor one of my favorite actors by watching one of his films. This year, 42 and Jackie Robinson Day is a nod to two great men, who accomplished truly monumental and groundbreaking feats in their lives. Another legend to add to the field of dreams. RIP Chadwick #WakandaForever

- Max Ritz