Publishers' letter

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, Dec, 2002 by Jorge Ferraez, Raul Ferraez

In Dallas the autumn is not very long. You are just coming out of those warm summer afternoons when suddenly, after a couple of weeks of autumn-like weather, the cold starts, and it's time to turn on the heater and switch off the AC. It was one of those last summer afternoons when I parked my car outside the American Airlines Center. I was expected at the Dallas Mavericks practice facility to meet Eduardo Najera. After many failed attempts to catch up with him, I had finally pinned him down for an interview.

I have to confess that I'm not a big fan of basketball. I thought that Najera was only a sports superstar I had to interview for our readers, but after I cleared security and got lost trying to find the Mavericks, I finally got to the place where gigantic players were throwing balls and practicing.

I quickly identified Eduardo and started to observe his movements; he looked calm, concentrated, and seemed to be enjoying the practice. Although I didn't watch a formal game, I started to like basketball. The players were finishing off their practice, and some of them kept doing what the trainer asked them to do. Among them was Eduardo.

When he was cleared to go for a break, he approached me and told me he was going to shower and get dressed for the interview and photo shoot. He seemed a little shy to me. I waited, looking at the court and equipment, and pondering the importance of the NBA and its teams, with such extraordinary facilities. And then I thought. "You are about to talk face to face with a basketball superstar, and thousands of kids would kill to be in your position now," and that idea motivated my questions.

In ten minutes, Eduardo came down the stairs from the locker rooms, and we sat on one side of the court. I discovered a simple, talented, and openhearted young man. We immediately started talking in Spanish, and as we kept talking he told the wonderful story how a talented kid from northern Mexico became a world famous athlete. After a while he seemed to forget he was being interviewed. He was so pleased to be talking and telling stories about his childhood and his family. The allotted 20 minutes became an hour. His story is simple but great, a story of a boy with a dream, a lot of talent, and the guts to overcome difficulties.

I asked, "Do you realize that you are an example for young people?"

"I know," he replied, "and I want to be the best example for them, but not only in the game, but in my personal life too."

There is nothing like a face-to-face conversation to really get to know the person, especially famous leaders. Sometimes they are behind a curtain of press and PR officers who hide so much of them. You will find his story inspiring. It will be delightful for many kids who admire him, but above all you'll discover what I did. He is an ordinary human being with extraordinary determination to succeed.

After the interview, we spent some time taking shots, which he accepted with a very professional attitude. Then we said goodbye. He bounced a ball as he walked away. I felt satisfied with a great interview. In the parking lot, I was caught in the worst rainstorm I had ever experienced in Dallas. I ran for my car, and by the time I got in, I was totally soaked, drops of water were sliding from my cheeks as a smile appeared across my face.