The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1960-01-15
A Fallen Athlete s
Tough Road Back
BY Lou Fabro
Times Sports Editor

One of the finest basketball players in the coun-
try hasn't been able to step Oh a cage court In nearly
two years. Instead, ne has been confined In Chrlst
Hospital in Cincinnati, trying to learn how to walk,
talk and perform those other everyday activities Wnicn
most of us take for granted.
Inching his way on the road to recovery is Maurice
Stokes. one of the greatest athletes to play for st.
Francis College (Pa) When his college playing days
were over, Stokes joined the Cincinnati Royals OF the
National Basketball Association and Immediately be-
came an outstanding performer.
During his dayS of basketball Stardom, Stokes was
known as aMaurice the Magnificent" or big Mo" A
terrific rebounder, Stokes was swift, husky and superb
ly conditioned.
Tragedy struck the established pro star suddenly
on March Is, 1858, during a plane flight to Cincinnati
after the Royals had played in Detroit.
Without warning, the big, talented athlete was
feIled by . mysterious sleeping sickness which leff
him as weak as an infant. AS his closest friend Jack
Twynan said, The was as close TO death as any person
could be-" -.
Doctors diagnosed the big guys illness, which
left him p~aralyzed and unable to speak, as a brain
ailment caused by a head injury
Unable to move or talk, Stokes ~ montnS ago
faced an extremely bleak future.
Today, Stokes is earning his title of Magnificent
Maurice" in different way. Battling seemingly IN
surmountable odds, the 27yearold Stokes now can
speak a few words and walks a little with braces. How
far he'll be able to 60, even the doctors don't know.
Twyman, who played his college ball at Duqvesne
and is now The big star for the Cincinnati Royals, saId
Stokes spirit has been real good, ana I'm sure t me.
1M3 9Httf @UG 1854 WV. W
through" He added "ifs been inspiring 70 see him
come this far"
The great friendship of Stokes and Twyman is
a story in itself. TWyman, one OF the great pro cage
stars today, has become Stokes guardian. He handles
the ailing athletes personal affairs and VISITS MN
regularly-an average of four times a week when the
Royals are playing at home.
1t was Twyman who gathered the material for
a national magazine article on Stokes. The task was
one which required great patience for both athletes.
To form the words which Stokes wanted to use,
Twyman would repeat the letters of the alphabet.
Stokes selected the letter he wanted by blinking his
eyes as Twyman uttered it. In this way, words, SEN
fences and then the article were completed. The task
took two weeks.
Money from this article, plus donations from fans
around the nation, helped offset some of Stokes huge
medical bills.
AS Twyman said, Stokes has come a long way.
But he still has a long, hard road to travel. He's get
ting good medical aid in his battle.
Another big aid is prayer. 1t would be a ire
mendous gesture If Diocesan athletes would OCCASION.
aly ~renember Stokes in their prayers. Diocesan teams
have a policy OF saying a short prayer before each
game. Perhaps, they could dedicate one OF their pre-
game prayers TO a fellow aihIeie-Mauriee Stokes.