The Harlem Globetrotters are coming
Published Tuesday March 31st, 2009
If you ever have lunch with Curly Neal and Moo Moo Evans of Harlem Globetrotters fame, be sure to have a napkin close by. It will help you wipe away the tears that come from the deep belly laughs you will have throughout your meal.
Fred 'Curly' Neal and Herb 'Moo Moo' Evans are seated in a corner table at one of Fredericton's dining establishments. Neal has ordered potato arugula soup and a side order of scampi.
When the waitress brings the soup, Neal teases her about the food offering.
"I see no potatoes in it. None. Unless they stepped on them in the back. Potatoes and onions and stuff. I don't see none of that."
When the shrimp arrives, Neal's on a roll and he continues the cuisine comedy routine. He wonders aloud what happened to the shrimp when he sees only four of them on his plate. The server explains these are tiger shrimp.
"Oh no! There's nothing tiger about them. They're very good but what happened to the rest of them?"
Is he always this difficult about food?
"I'm not difficult. I'm just having fun, baby. Laugh. Let it out. People are too uptight."
With that, Neal produces a Harlem Globetrotters' stress ball and says it's good for those who need to relieve tension.
"When you're feeling stressed, you just squeeze on it and think about Curly and Moo Moo!"
Evans looks at Neal and smiles. It's great being on the road with this legendary guard, Evans says.
Whenever he sees Neal's name on the touring schedule next to his, he knows it's going to be a fun road trip.
Evans and Neal have been in Fredericton since last week, gearing up for the Globetrotters' game against The Washington Generals at the Aitken Centre on Thursday, April 2. Their schedule is filled with public appearances.
Neal stopped playing basketball professionally in 1985. His famous number 22 was officially retired last year and was lifted to the rafters during a special ceremony at New York's Madison Square Garden. The hilarious and charming man is now a Globetrotters ambassador of goodwill. Every month he's on the road for three weeks making public relations and marketing appearances for the team.
During his one week off, he returns to the southern United States to see his wife Rose, his kids, grandchildren and great-grandchild.
Evans is now in his fourth season with the Globetrotters and year two as an advance ambassador for the team.
This incredibly busy schedule means he doesn't get home to see his family much, but he's not complaining. Being a Globetrotter is even better than he'd dreamed it would be when he was a kid watching the team on TV in cartoon form.
"I saw them on Scooby-Doo. That was one of my favourite cartoons," says Evans.
In the 1970s and '80s, The Harlem Globetrotters were at the height of international stardom. Now 66 years old, Neal says he wants to remain involved with the organization for a few more years to help the team get back to the level of fame it had when he was a player.
"They can do it again. Get a cartoon back on TV for the children and other shows we were on like Sesame Street, David Letterman, Jay Leno and The View so people can see the players' faces."
Evans says he looks forward to the day he will appear on TV as a cartoon character.
While in university, Evans went to a Globetrotters tryout in Memphis. Two weeks later he was invited to join the team. It is better than he ever dreamed. All of the mischief he got into on the basketball court in school that he was told not to do he is now being paid to do and much more.
One of the things he likes to do is to speak to children about the Globetrotter's 'C.H.E.E.R. For Character' program.
"It stands for co-operation, healthy mind and body, effort, enthusiasm and responsibility. We talk to the kids about thinking positively, listening to their parents, teachers, coaches and mentors. We want them to strive to be whatever they want to be."
As Evans speaks, Neal starts to wave his linen napkin in the air. What's he doing?
"I'm waving away a fly from my glass. There shouldn't be any flies as cold as it is up here."
Both say they aren't crazy about the cold weather here but the warmth of the people more than makes up for it.
"It's a lot of fun. It's one of the best places. I always tell people back in the States about Fredericton. I always tell them Canada has some of the greatest fans we have ever played for," says Evans.
The Globetrotters' acts often feature incredible co-ordination and skillful handling of one or more basketballs, such as passing or juggling balls between players, balancing or spinning balls on their fingertips and making unusual, difficult shots.
Among the players who have been Globetrotters are NBA greats Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain, Connie "The Hawk" Hawkins and Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, George "Meadowlark" Lemon, Reece "Goose" Tatum, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Hubert "Geese" Ausbie and, of course, Curly Neal.
Every team member comes with or is given a nickname. Neal got his because of his clean-shaven head. Evans arrived with his childhood nickname given to him by his family because of his love of milk.
Dessert arrives. French vanilla ice cream with whipped cream. These guys agree they've eaten just enough to feel satisfied but not too much that they won't feel sluggish during their afternoon appearance at the Regent Mall, where they expect to meet dozens of fans.
"We know we are going to be swarmed. Especially when he (Curly Neal) comes in. They recognize his face and the legacy that he has," says Evans.
The server arrives with the cheque. She asks how Neal liked his dessert. He says it was good but he wonders why the dish has been painted with chocolate syrup. He's told it's simply for decoration.
"How much did that cost? I want my money back!"
The server has long since figured Neal out and quickly fires back that he hasn't even paid yet.
When the bill is settled, these Globetrotter ambassadors are off to their next appointment to promote the team.
Wherever they go you can be sure they will be laughing and everyone they meet will be laughing right along with them.
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