The kindest man
~Christen Greene~
I met Chip during a whirlwind year of success with The Lumineers. We went to breakfast with my team, prepared to meet one of the biggest legends in the game. I was warned ahead of time: “PLEASE DO NOT TALK BASKETBALL WITH HIM – it’ll derail the whole conversation” But I couldn’t help myself. Having played college ball and hearing of his son’s successes I found a gap in industry talk, leaned in and asked about Max. Game over. Next thing I know I was watching practice footage, talking triangle offense and more. It was hilarious and glorious and it was a situation that would repeat itself over the next few years when one of us was tried of the industry talk. Our own little private joke and meeting escape. 🙂 I feel so privileged and lucky to have ever been in a room with Chip – let alone learn from him. What a special, kind, big-hearted man. RIP friend.
Chip was easily one of the most successful people I’ve spent time with but I never heard that from him. Given my age at the time, our early conversations mostly revolved around the game of basketball regarding both me and his son Max or how both Max and Val were doing so well in school. Sometimes it would be outside of some small random gym that Max was working out at at the time or after one of my college games. Even at my young age I could sense that Chip was a genuine person and I felt comfortable speaking with him. These conversations would expand to various topics as I grew older. I never realized how busy he must’ve been because he somehow managed to completely unplug and be in the moment.
I’m a believer that things happen when and how they should sometimes without explanation. I have a quick story that validates that in my mind… It had been some years since I seen Chip although we had spoke on the phone a few times and I was semi up to date with his progress through other people. It was near the end of my summer break last year and I was in the United terminal at LAX waiting to fly home and spend some time with my family before I had to leave and prepare for the season. My back was turned but I heard a recognizable voice speaking with someone about a gate change and possible delay. Hadn’t seen him in years and we were randomly on the same flight back home.
I’m thankful for that last random run-in. Of course we started with the normal sports/family updates but had enough time to talk a little more. He was as positive and energetic as ever which I expected but still know was special given what he was going through.
In retrospect there’s always more you wish you could say or would’ve done when it’s too late. Knowing that he was happy and very proud of how his kids were doing makes me feel good. I got to hug him and tell him that he was an inspiration. I still have a mental picture of his smile when he walked away.