Meadowlark Lemon Harlem Globetrotters Biography
Meadowlark Lemon was the most popular member of the most beloved sports team in history, the Harlem Globetrotters. For more than two decades, the irrepressible clown prince of basketball thrilled millions of fans with his basketball wizardry and slapstick comedy. A gifted athlete and hilarious comedian, he was as renowned for his famous confetti in the water bucket routine as he was for hitting hook shots from half court. Above all else, it was his dazzling smile that charmed fans both young and old. His exuberance and boyish mischievousness never faded, and everyone joined in the fun.
There he was, the kid from North Carolina who had always dreamed of playing for the Harlem Globetrotters, jostling for position under the basket in that famous stars and stripes basketball jersey. Meadowlark Lemon had come a long way from the segregated neighborhoods of Wilmiington to thrill millions of people, including kings, presidents, and popes (in more than 100 countries). In the thick of the game, as elbows fly and bodies collide, a scream of pain echoes through the auditorium as Meadowlark Lemon crashed to the floor. The eyes of the children in the audience grow wide, fearing that the man who has been making them laugh all night is hurt.
The rest of the Globetrotters gather around Meadowlard Lemon, who hasn't moved and is moaning loudly. A stretcher is brough out. As he's being carried off, his teammates huddle around their fallen captain, rubbing his arm. He's still holding the basketball. One Globetrotter asks loudly how badly the arm is hurt. Meadowlark Lemon head shoots up and a look of amazement spreads across his face. "My arm?" he bellows, "No man, it's my leg!" The fans roar with laughter as he gives them a knowing wink, hops off the stretcher and jumps back into the game.
For more than 20 years, Meadowlark Lemon performed this same gag to the delight of packed houses around the world. His routines hardly ever changed, but they never became stale. The "confetti in the bucket skit", the "ball on an elastic trick", the slam dunk from a teammates shoulder trick were just as magical to adults watching them for the 10th time as they were to the children attending their very first Globetrotters show.
Despite the rigors of playing more than 300 games a year, Meadowlark Lemon walked onto every basketball court with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his lips. Even near the end of his career, when Lemon was no longer able to perform the dazzling acrobatics that first landed him a spot with the Globetrotters, he was still a fan favorite. He once said that while there were players who could stop him from scoring, there was no one who could stop him from getting a laugh.
Interesting Meadowlark Lemon biography facts:
- Meadowlark Lemon played on many odd surfaces, including hocky rinks covered with plywood, basketball courts made out of table tops, battleships, Italian beaches, soccer fields, empty swimming pools, and even converted bull rings!
- Meadowlark Lemon made an impressive debut subbing for lead clown Showboad Hall and hitting a half court hook shot on his very first attempt.
Harlem Globetrotters Autographed Photographs - Meadowlark Lemon
Meadowlark Lemon Autographed Harlem Globetrotters Photographs - Mounted Memories
Meadowlark Lemon Autographed Harlem Globetrotters Photographs - Mounted Memories
These autographed Harlem Globetrotter Photographs are individually numbered from Mounted Memories. Tamper evident hologram. Certified authentic.
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