Junior (Bridgeman) Mama Used To Say...

And momma used to say:
(momma used to say)take your time young man
(momma used to say) don't you rush to get old
(momma used to say) take it in your stride
(momma used to say) live your life!
—Junior, 1982

One of my dad's favorite players coming up was one Ulysses Junior Bridgeman. He wasn't a superstar per se, but he was a top 10 pick in the early 1970s who helped usher in the era of the "big guard"—swingmen that that could post up, shoot, defend multiple positions—Junior Bridgemen was 6'5 and could defend PG, SG, and some small forwards...

Junior was also one of the first "super subs—guys that were good enough to start, but often came off the bench to score and make crucial plays. As a supersub, Bridgemen averaged 13.6 pg , 3.5 boards and 2/4 assists over the course of his 14-year career.

The main reason my dad liked Bridgemen was because he was quiet—he just played ball. he was like an assassin. He'd go out and

But the reason i'm blogging about Bridgemen today is because I recently read the annual list of wealthiest Black americans. And Junior's on it! SEE HERE

It seems that when Ulysses Bridgemen got done balling in the NBA in the late 80s, he got into the fastfood business and currently owns 163 Wendy's Restaurants in 5 states, plus 26 Chili's eateries. He's also got a piece of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. Bridgemen runs a holding companies named Manna, Inc.

All that and he's only 55 years old.

(What is it about fastfood execs that makes them all look the same no matter what?)

Anyway, I'm proud of Mr. Bridgemen, not just for becoming one of the wealthiest cats in America, but because he was able to do more than just play ball and hope for a shoe deal to live on. Nope, he's actually built an empire that's helping his community his family and the economy of several states.

If Junior ever drops a line of wing tips or loafers, i might scoop up a size 12.

So In honor of Ulysses (Junior) Bridgeman becoming a legend in two games, I offer up—what else—but a little Junior: