TRAGIC HEROES HALL OF FAME

To explore, or even to define a tragic hero would take far longer than I choose to devote to this post. So let’s stipulate here that a tragic hero embodies the following things:

1. once displayed brilliance in any given area, or displayed unlimited potential for future brilliance

2. underwent a tremendous, or very fast, fall from grace (need not be both tremendous AND fast, but the two usually coincide)

3. is commonly known or remembered as the result of the fall from grace, and not known or remembered for past brilliance; ie: never recovered from the fall
3a. people who once really respected or appreciated the fallen still defend such individual, and always will, while the rest of the world perceives the fallen as a miscreant


Without further ado, I am not so proud to unveil the inaugural class of the Tragic Heroes Hall of Fame, along with the exact wording from each of their plaques, to be not-so-proudly displayed at the official Hall, at #13, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Wichita Falls, Kansas. Each member of the Class of 2005 was elected unanimously by a panel of expert voters (me and West Indian Archie), and was elected on the first ballot.

Robert Beresford “Bobby” Brown
b. 1969
rise: ca. 1980
fall: ca. 1993
Preeminent R&B/Pop music star of his day. Violent fall highlighted by tumultuous marriage, myriad felony convictions. Ruined New Edition, best man pop group of all time. Thoroughly embarrassed self as reality show star. Currently known as crazed drug addict.

Dwight “Dr. K” Gooden and Darryl Strawberry (tandem plaque)
b. 1964 b. 1962
rise: ca. 1984
fall: ca. 1990
Dr. K and Straw Man. Could have owned Manhattan for 30 years subsequent to debuts for New York Mets. Unparalleled raw talents. Made joint decision to give it all up for blow.

Michael Gerard “Mike” Tyson
b. 1966
rise: ca.1985
fall: 1991
Kid Dynamite, Iron Mike. Most feared man on the planet for almost 10 years. Meteoric rise followed by unparalled dominance of heavyweight boxing division. Savagely taken advantage of by unscrupulous collections of vicious individuals, including boxing promoters, hangers on, wife and mother tandem, and a former Miss Black Indiana. Emerged from exploitation as a shell of former baddest man on the planet. Exploitation resulted in severe, permanent mental and emotional infirmities, and embarrassing beatings inside and outside of ring.

Michael Joseph Jackson
b. 1958
rise: ca.1970
fall: 1993

One of three people able to lay legitimate claim to title of greatest entertainer of all time. At his peak, may be largest celebrity most humans will witness. Maniacal following despite personal eccentricities. Unbelievably good music. Fall centered around two things: intentional, freakish alteration of physical asthetic, and unhealthy obsession with young boys. Although never convicted, plagued by substantiated allegations of sexual acts with young boys under guise of powers to heal from terminal illnesses. Currently exists as pariah to human community.