If you're a Detroit Pistons or Cleveland Cavaliers fan -- you'll know who Fred McLeod is...
I received a text this morning from Matt Freeman
(Irish Sports Daily) that my friend had died of a heart attack last night. The news was a shocker for me.
I mourn through storytelling -- so let me share with you my favorite Fred McLeod story.
Fred and I became friends during his time in Detroit. We would often play golf at Walnut Creek Country Club in Wixom, MI -- where I had a membership. Our conversation one day centered on Fred's desire to get the Cleveland Cavaliers' play-by-play role for TV.
At the time, Fred had a TV gig with WDIV Detroit and the play-by-play role for the Detroit Pistons' TV games. Fred had half of the schedule, sharing the duties with Notre Dame alum George Blaha, who had the other half of the Pistons' TV schedule.
Fred wanted a full-time TV play-by-play gig and Cleveland was his hometown team -- and he let me know this.
What Fred didn't know, was I had a way for him to be introduced to the Cleveland Cavaliers' owner, Dan Gilbert. A friend of mine, Pat McGinnis was one of Gilbert's closest friends and colleague at Rock Financial.
Pat had extended the opportunity for me to jump on Gilbert's private jet with Dan
(a few times) to go see a Cavaliers' game -- and sadly my schedule
(I commuted / worked in New York City) never allowed me to take him up on the offer.
On learning this,
Fred asked me to "promise him" that if I ever got asked again to jump on Gilbert's plane and can't go -- please ask to see if he could take my spot...
Well, a few months later, Pat McGinnis calls again and asks me to join him and Dan on Gilbert's private jet to go see the Cavaliers play -- and once again, my schedule would not allow it...
So, I asked Pat -- would it be okay if Fred McLeod took my spot on the trip?
Pat, said sure -- so I called Fred up and told him about the opportunity. Thankfully, Fred could go.
So here's what happens...
Fred arrives at Oakland Country Airport, where Dan Gilbert kept his plane. He walks out on the tarmac and climbs the steps onto the jet to learn he's the last one to board. Sitting on the jet are; Pat McGinnis, Dan Gilbert and some guy named Bob Ritchie (better known as KID ROCK).
Well they're not in the air five minutes when Dan Gilbert says to Fred "you don't remember me, do you..." Fred's thinking to himself
(you're Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and many other companies) -- while Dan continues on... "I was a college intern at a TV station in Flint (MI) that you used to work at, and no one was nicer to me, I've never forgotten that. If there's anything I can ever do for you -- you just ask..."
Fred remembered "Danny the intern" -- what he didn't know was that intern now owned the Cleveland Cavaliers...
Well, Fred jumped on the opportunity. He quickly replied to Dan; "well, if you're serious about the offer, there is something you could do for me someday. If the Cleveland Cavaliers' play-by-play position on TV ever opens up, I'd like to be considered for that job..."
A few months later in 2006 -- Fred got that gig.
Ten years later -- this happens...
Fred McLeod was kind to everyone he ever met -- including that college intern...
I haven't seen Fred in a few years, we have talked on the phone and texted each other. It's sad we'll never cross paths again here on Earth.
Fred, enjoy Heaven's broadcast location -- it doesn't get any better...
LINK:
FRED'S FUNERAL SERVICE
