From humble beginnings in a small West Virginia town, to becoming the logo of the NBA, Jerry West lived a life full of success and glory.
As a West Virginian, one of the first things you learn as a kid is who Jerry West is. A man who came out of Cabin Creek, WV, and went onto be one of the most recognizable sports figures in the world is nothing to shrug off.
West has served as an inspiration to many, and I imagine for a multitude of reasons. For me personally, it was inspiring to see someone who came from my little corner of the world make a name for himself. If Jerry West could do it, then why can’t I?
When you come from a place that’s so small, so niche, it’s incredible to watch someone so like you conquer the world. You feel so much pride even though you’ve probably never met them. I never met West, but I was incredibly proud of him.
There are no professional sports teams in the state of West Virginia. Therefore, the college teams fill that void and you ride or die for kids who are still figuring their lives out. One might think that’s a lot of pressure, but for West, it was nothing.
“When I competed and wore that number, I competed for the state and for the people, not just for the University,” West once said.
After leaving West Virginia, West went on to accomplish amazing things. Some people reach that level of fame and forget their roots. Not Jerry West.
He always spoke so highly of his home, his alma mater, and the people who helped get him there. He was humble, grateful, and appreciative of the love so many had for him.
He has a statue outside of the Coliseum in Morgantown, WV. You can always find people taking pictures next to it, mimicking his signature pose. His number still hangs high in the rafters—44—the first number in the program’s history to be retired. You can see it every time you step inside. They even named the street right outside Jerry West Boulevard.
I’m sure Lakers fans, Clippers fans, Warriors fans, and just general basketball fans are mourning this loss. But leave no doubt that the state of West Virginia is mourning it more than anyone.
Thank you, Mr. West, for all the wonderful memories. Thank you for impacting the game of basketball like you did. Thank you for shining a light on our little slice of almost heaven. There will never be another quite like The Logo.