Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
On Tuesday, the world was introduced to Ted Williams, a homeless man living along Ohio's I-71 with a sign that boasted he had "the God-given gift of voice."
The video -- which has been viewed more than four million times in less than two days -- is really a must-watch (listen?). Williams tells his tale -- with that God-given gift -- of how he came to develop his voice (inspired by a field trip a Brooklyn radio station), lost his dreams when they were derailed by "alcohol and drugs and a few other things," before sobering up (two years clean, he proudly says into the camera), and trying to start again.
Now, it's Wednesday morning, and Ted Williams -- after an emotional appearance on CBS' The Early Show and a feature on The Today Show -- has been offered a job with the Cleveland Cavaliers while in-studio as a guest on Cleveland's WNCI 97.9.
In addition to a full-time position with both the team and Quicken Loans Arena -- mostly voiceover work -- the Cavaliers have also offered to pay for Williams' mortgage on a brand new home (jump ahead to around the five-minute mark):
And it's seemingly just the start, as Darren Rovell just tweeted that NFL Films is looking to contact Williams for a potential job offer.
"Amazing" does not begin to do this story justice. Truly some of your best work yet, Internet.
(HT: Jose3030 and Chris Littmann)
7 comments
Comments
Wow.
This is amazing. Does it make me less of a man to say it got a bit dusty in here when he was offered the job and the house? I don’t care. That’s an incredible story.
Bill Polian has forgotten more about football than you ever have or ever will know.
by jdb on Jan 5, 2011 11:00 AM EST reply actions
This is such an incredible story.
Kudos for the Cavaliers giving this man an opportunity to get fully back on his feet.
And I love how he he becomes most excited when Quicken Loans offers to pay his mortgage on a house. The organization should be commended for this.
Chickity-check yourself before you Rec yourself.
by thehemogoblin on Jan 5, 2011 12:26 PM EST reply actions
Heard this on the radio today
It’s really a great “feel good” story.
by John Stephens on Jan 5, 2011 12:26 PM EST reply actions
Dave and Jimmy rule
Listening to this man on the radio this morning talking about his family and how he went the wrong direction and how he only wanted a second chance to do ANYTHING to get his life back on track, not just voice work. He was standing on a street corner a few days ago and just wanted a job. He is 2.5 years sober and I wish him all the success in the world.
by JoseOle on Jan 5, 2011 12:52 PM EST reply actions
Hooray
Internetz
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by Sean Keeley on Jan 5, 2011 5:49 PM EST reply actions
How cool is that
God bless all of them, including the initial guy who read his words, and was a big enough person to treat him like a human being like himself.
Awesome story.
"The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else."--John Madden
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by brhynno on Jan 5, 2011 9:10 PM EST reply actions
Great story
I would pay this guy to read anything.
"It's better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right"unknown
by bestclipfan on Jan 6, 2011 3:05 AM EST reply actions
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