ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, July 7, 1996 TAG: 9607080097
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: HAMPTON
SOURCE: Associated Press
HAMPTON HONORS its native son despite the legal problems he had in 1993.
Allen Iverson, the NBA's top draft pick, was given a hero's welcome Saturday in the town where he gained fame as a basketball and football standout - and gained notoriety in a celebrated legal case.
The city sponsored the parade and a reception, where Mayor James L. Eason issued a proclamation declaring Saturday ``Allen Iverson Day.'' Several thousand people lined the parade route as Iverson was driven through town in an open convertible. The procession ended at Hampton Coliseum, where Iverson and his family were greeted by a standing ovation.
Despite the cheers and the praise, memories of Iverson's 1993 conviction on mob violence charges for his role in a bowling alley fracas were on the minds of many watchers. The conviction was overturned on appeal.
``I hope today is a bridge-building day, because I think we need to heal,'' said Joyce Hobson, who heads the Friends of Allen Iverson.
In the parking lot at the Coliseum, a lone protestor, Sandra Radford of Hampton, held up a sign that read, ``Millions don't make a hero, morals do.''
``I think sports makes false heroes,'' she said of the man the Philadelphia 76ers selected with the No.1 pick in the NBA draft. ``I'm glad he's turning his life around and I'm glad for the breaks he's gotten and I hope he goes on to be a good citizen ... but I think we are too quick to make a hero out of him.''
Although Eason came under fire for deciding to honor Iverson, he said he had no regrets.
``He has accomplished what no one else has been able to match in 1996,'' Eason said, referring to the draft pick. ``This certainly deserves our most heartfelt congratulations and it deserves to be done now rather than require him to prove again his worthiness.
``Some have asked what message we were sending to the young people by honoring Allen,'' Eason said. ``To me there is only one message ... each of our young people can match Allen's work ethic and his will and desire to succeed.''
Iverson, 21, took the stage at the Coliseum for a brief speech to thank his family and God, ``for sticking with me during my roughest times.''
Iverson was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the fight. Then-Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, however, furloughed him after four months, and an appeals court overturned the conviction for insufficient evidence. Iverson went on to attend Georgetown for two years.
In the end, Iverson's fame drew more people than his brush with the law. As organizers set up an autograph table, hundreds of fans rushed up carrying baseballs, photographs and even cereal boxes for the young star to sign.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 linesby CNB