Personal Essay: Chris Paul, My Favorite Athlete

Chris Paul is my personal favorite athlete, because of his dominance on the court and his will to win. I not only like him as a player but also as a person. He shows good faith and outstanding characteristics. Off the court he’s just as a dominant, as an outstanding individual. Chris Paul has shown adversity throughout his life from his grandpa, to his college days at wake forest, to his time spent on the New Orleans Hornets, and now to his dominance on the LA Clippers. Not only this but also his amazing work as a philanthropist giving back to the community and supporting local schools and his home town.
Chris Paul’s life started with some adversity. As yaeger notes, when he was still in high school, the day he was signed to wake forest his grandpa was murdered by 4 masked men. They snuck up on his grandpa, and attacked him and stole his things(Yaeger). Chris Paul was devastated by this and the next game

he scored 61 points in honor of his grandpa. He also added the number 61 to his shoe brand as another way to honor his grandpa (Yaeger). His grandpa was one of the most important people in his life, and he taken away from him by 4 masked men for only his wallet. Even though Chris being the man he years down the road called for the men to be released from prison (“Second Chance?”). He saw that they were young naive and believes that they deserve another chance.
He was a dominant force through college. He led his team to numerous championships. He also had a few bad moments in college including some troubles with other players. Including punching a player down under and server a two game suspension for it (“Chris Paul”). This being said he was still a dominant force, and led Wake Forest to being a top college team. He was a dominant player but college was probably the worst part of his career that’s why I believe he only decided to stay 2 years (Contemporary).
He left college after his second year for the NBA. He was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets who were a fairly weak team. He instantly made a huge difference leading the Hornets to the number one spot in the west for a few games during the season. Although falling during the second round of the playoffs (Abram). After this short rain of success the Hornets struggled with winning, and making deep runs in the playoffs. They consistently made it to the playoffs but not past the second round as their team was fairly weak (Abram). Paul also had to deal with injuries, and was forced to take a bigger role on the team. During this time period he did have a breakout season finishing second in the MVP voting behind Kobe Bryant (Contemporary). The Hornets struggled years after this, as Paul could see this so he was traded to the clippers.
Paul’s trade to the clippers was very interesting. Since he was supposed to be traded to the Lakers but the trade was vetoed (After). Throughout his career on the clippers he’s been a very dominant force in the NBA. The clippers have been to the playoffs every year he’s been there although never going out of the second round (After). This being the said the West is a fairly tough conference so the playoffs can be very difficult their always fairly competitive. His host of teammates has led to the clippers having some more excess.
He’s definitely proven he’s a dominant NBA player. He's considered one of the elite point guards in the NBA, maybe the best true point guard. Hes also an elite defender and offensive weapon. In a playoff game he scored 8 threes in a rows (“Chris Paul”).This being said his dominance on the court doesn’t have as much as a impact as his dominance off the court. His charity work is very good and he’s seen a lot of success through his charity work. He’s involved in lots of different charities that have kept him involved as a Celebrity. His life off the court is just as busy as his life on the court.
Paul is not only deeply involved in charity work but also a role model to kids all over the nation. People turn on their afternoon tv and see a NBA all star with numerous awards sitting at his post game interview with his 3 year son right now(Gale). Not only this but his sons probably a better talker than him. He definitely makes his interviews a lot better, and adds a special sense of character to him. It’s very humbling to see man with tons of money and fame, but to still be involved with his city and his family (Gale). He’s been seen taking his son almost everywhere with him including long road trips and home games. Its great to see a NBA All star that doesn’t get caught up in all the drama going on around him, and still makes time for his family. Not only does he support charity, but he also gives back to his fans. Going to numerous signings and taking photos with his fans.
His work as a philanthropist has been amazing. I would describe him as a man of his city. He supports a lot of charities, and goes out on events to raise money for good causes such as boys and girls clubs(Almanac). He's been very active in not only Los Angeles, but his old town in New Orleans. He supported and helped rebuild New Orleans after the hurricane Katrina. Actually, after Hurricane Katrina the New Orleans Hornets didn’t have a stadium to play in so they played in Oklahoma City all year long (Almanac). Even after moving to LA he continues to go back to New Orleans and support the city. Thats a great thing to do, all things considered. Paul never he asked to leave or said he was going to leave, New Orleans traded because they were afraid he was going to leave in free agency (Almanac).

Chris Pauls life work as an athlete and a person has been outstanding since he's excelled through both parts of his life. He's an excellent basketball player as he excels and is a dominant force on the court. Not only this but he excels in his charity work leading several charities and sponsoring several ones. Including partnering with the boys and girls club and the Make A Wish Foundation (”Chris Paul Family Foundation.”).
Paul also has his own charity that he runs.

Its called the Chris Paul Family Foundation because his whole family takes part in giving back to his community (Yaeger). The charity is based solely in his home town for the most part, that being Salem, N.C. His charity gives back to his community including scholarships for the high school. Also devoting money to wake forest to help improve it. It also partners with several charities including the boys and girls club(Yaeger). The best part about is that Chris Paul isn’t the only one involved in it, his mom and dad, and wife are greatly involved in it. Bringing charity to his hometown community.
I feel Paul is definitely my favorite athlete not only because of his extreme competitive nature but his likeable characteristics as a person. He’s a great person with outstanding personal traits. He actually called for the people that killed his grandpa to be released because he feels they were young and everyone deserves a second chance. He’s one of the top 5 people in my book. An amazing person on and off the court, Chris

Paul.