Allen Iverson Snubs Sick Kids

[slightly biased bias fan]

https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/allen-iverson-australia-cancer-charity-challenge-20260127.html

Allen Iverson is being criticized for an allegedly disrespectful visit with a childrens cancer charity in Australia, after a viral Reddit post called out the former Sixer for absolutely disgusting conduct at the hospital.

Challenge, a Melbourne-based charity supporting children with cancer, has hosted NBA players such as Shaquille ONeal, Cameron Johnson, Josh Giddey, Seth Curry, and Carmelo Anthony for visits in the past.

Challenge chief executive officer David Rogers told The Inquirer in a statement on Tuesday that Iverson spent almost two hours engaging with media, executives, and high-profile sports figures, but in stark contrast, described the Hall of Famers conduct with the children and families as unacceptable.

Iverson was set to do a 45-minute meet-and-greet with children and families supported by Challenge. Iverson was more than 90 minutes late, and according to the Reddit post, decided not to sign anything or speak to anyone, adding that his security said he was having a bad day.

My little brother who is 12 years old and is currently receiving chemotherapy for ALCL lymphoma, was so excited to meet one of his idols, the Reddit post reads. He came out to be extremely disgusted and disappointed in Allen Iversons [behavior], and so were the other [families].

Iverson took one group photo and then ended the visit.

Challenge was deeply disappointed with the meet and greet involving Allen Iverson, Rogers said in the statement. There was nothing further we could have done as an organization to improve the experience and, despite working diligently on the day to manage a challenging and at times disrespectful approach from his management team, we believe Allen Iverson ultimately let down the children and families who came to meet him.

[ozgod]

I read this and it is disgusting. "Having a bad day"...well these kids are having a bad life, and he could have taken 1 hour from his day to bring smiles to their faces. Or if he really didn't want to why even agree to do it and get their hopes up? Pathetic.

Here is the Reddit thread in question.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1qnek4y/allen_iverson_in_australia_absolutely_disgusting/

[slamtheking]

someone must have told him it was practice

[Celtics4ever]

I am not defending Iverson, that is atrocious behavior.

How does a 12 year old know know Allen Iverson was?  He quit playing in 2013.  I am just curious.

I hope your brother wins his fight against ALCL lymphoma and I am sorry he had a negative experience.  I am not the praying kind but I will send him some positive thoughts.

[celts55]

I am not defending Iverson, that is atrocious behavior.

How does a 12 year old know know Allen Iverson was?  He quit playing in 2013.  I am just curious.

I hope your brother wins his fight against ALCL lymphoma and I am sorry he had a negative experience.  I am not the praying kind but I will send him some positive thoughts.

I know who Babe Ruth is and he played way before my time. I?m not really sure what your point is.

[Celtics4ever]

Are you a big time fan of his, Celts55?

 Usually, our idols are in our lifetime, was my point.

[Celtics4ever]

Are you a big time fan of Babe Ruth, Celts55?

 Usually, our idols are in our lifetime, was my point.

[Roy H.]

It's easy for me to say, but if I was a celebrity I'd be doing everything in my power to give back to kids.  I can understand a certain aloofness and even cynicism around adult fans, but kids should be a priority.

It's why I will always consider John Cena to be one of the Boston area's greatest athletes despite his sport being scripted.  The guy gives back.

[celts55]

Are you a big time fan of Babe Ruth, Celts55?

 Usually, our idols are in our lifetime, was my point.

Sorry. I didn?t mean to sound rude.
To answer your question, no I?m not a big fan of his. I am a big fan of Willie Mays however. He was before my time, but for some reason I?ve always been a fan.
Bill Russell is someone I?ve always admired for numerous reasons.
Why someone would chose AI is beyond me

[bdm860]

I am not defending Iverson, that is atrocious behavior.

How does a 12 year old know know Allen Iverson was?  He quit playing in 2013.  I am just curious.

I hope your brother wins his fight against ALCL lymphoma and I am sorry he had a negative experience.  I am not the praying kind but I will send him some positive thoughts.

This was my thought when I heard this story.

Speaking from experience, I actually was a Make-a-Wish kid back in '98-'99, and meeting Iverson was on my short list of wishes I was considering (I also contemplated trying to cram 2 wishes into one, and thought about trying to wish to do a Sixers/Celtics games so I could meet Iverson and the Celtics).

Now I was in high school at the time, but for 98/99 that would be like getting to meet David Thompson or George Gervin or Pete Maravich, I knew a little about them, but not much. Even if it was Larry Bird or Kevin McHale, that would be cool, but it wouldn't excite me like getting to meet Antoine Walker or Ron Mercer would have.  And that's basketball-obsessed-high-school-aged-me, it would be even worse if they tried to have me meet those guys at 12 years old.

That being said, the 12-year old sick kids story still makes sense (though that part is played up for feels/clicks), as being a sick kid, you do get a few opportunities to meet random celebs. They ask you, do you want to meet a D-list celebrity? So you sign up, and the hospital staff and your parents probably hype it up for a couple of weeks, day arrives, you go to the spot, told it's going to be a half hour wait, then 2-3 hours later, you're told you're not getting anything. Ya it sucks for the kids, you got excited and wasted your time for nothing, but I doubt they were dying to meet him.