Not only does Denver love sports, but the crisp clean air and healthy lifestyle produces its fair share of notable athletes. Chauncey Billups is a retired point guard who not only graduated from George Washington High School in the heart of Denver, but loved his city so much he chose Colorado University over Kansas, UC-Berkeley, and Georgia Tech. The Buffs were glad to have him, as Billups averaged 18.5 point per game and in 1997 was named Basketball Times All-American First Team and led them to their first NCAA tournament victory in over three decades! That year, he started his NBA career with the Boston Celtics. Chauncey Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star, was dubbed “Mr. Big Shot” for his incredible late-game winning shots. Billups created the “Chauncey’s Kid Roundup Program” providing kids the opportunity to watch collegiate basketball.
One of Hockey’s Finest
In the heat of a Denver summer in 1975, an amazing ice hockey goaltender was born. John Grahame, who played in the NHL and won the 2004 Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning, was born and raised in the Mile-High city. Bringing his ice-magic back home, Grahame signed with the Avalanche and was assigned to the Lake Erie Monsters, where he played 14 games in 2010. He loved it so much he stayed for another year and was brought up to the Avalanche in February of the 2011. Wanting to go out in style, he retired at the end of that season after the Monsters made it to the playoffs for the first time in their history. He comes by his skills naturally, as his father is Ron Grahame, professional goaltender extraordinaire, and his mother, Charlotte Grahame, served in the Colorado Avalanche’s front office the year they won the Stanley Cup.
Becoming Unhittable in Denver
Denver has consistently produced amazing pitchers through the years. This was due in large part to baseball’s pitching guru Bus Campbell who trained Denver area pitchers like Goose Gossage and Brad Lidge. He took Roy Halladay (Doc) under his wing at the ripe old age of 13. The training was a success, and after graduating from Arvada High School, Halladay immediately went to play for the Toronto Blue Jays, as their first draft selection. He had perfected his technique by 2010, when he became the fifth pitcher in MLB history to throw multiple no-hitters in the same season. Two years later, he was one of the few pitchers to record 2,000 strikeouts. As if his career resume wasn’t long enough, Doc Halladay won the Cy Young Award in both the National and American Leagues.
More than Just Sports
But Denver also boasts of kind and generous citizens, not just talented. While Halladay was with the Blue Jays, he invited children from the nearby Children’s Hospital into “Doc’s Box” at Rogers Centre, even remodeling the suite to be kid-friendly. Each year he donated $100,000 to the Jays Care Foundation. He was repeatedly nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award and Players Choice Awards for his consistent and compassionate service toward underprivileged children.
Whether it is the clean air, healthy lifestyles or nutritious food, Denver consistently produces, not just award-winning athletes, but kind hearted celebrities. Those who grow up in the Mile-high City have given of their talents, time and fortunes. With Denver’s ongoing commitment to excellence, the world of sports can continue to depend on Colorado for many years to come.