Here are comments from incarcerated men who are players of San Quentin sports teams. They discussed whether playing organized sports in San Quentin helps them to relive past dreams.
Sean Simms, All Madden linebacker: I never had any dreams or aspirations to play sports. However, playing organized sports here in San Quentin has giving me a chance to experience what attending school and playing sports must be like. I now have a high respect for student-athletes who not only achieve in sports but also excel in their academics.
Chris Marshall Sr., San Quentin Giants outfielder: Playing sports in San Quentin has nothing to do, for me that is, to be able to relive past dreams. At my age, I don’t have the same physical abilities I had in my teens and early 20s. But what I do have is more self-discipline and knowledge of the game I’m playing, and my body’s new abilities or lack there of, which causes me to try to make better decisions, decisions that won’t hurt my team’s effort towards the goal we have together.
Nghiep “Ke” Lam, San Quentin A’s, shortstop and pitcher: Playing for the San Quentin A’s fulfilled my childhood dream to play for the Oakland Athletics. Growing up I was a huge fan of the A’s, even though I grew up in San Francisco. My favorite player all-time is Ricky Henderson. I never thought I would ever play for the A’s after being incarcerated at the age of 17.
Richard “Mujahid” Munns, San Quentin Warriors shooting forward: Coming from a background filled with athletes competing on all levels, playing for the San Quentin Warriors basketball team has offered me the opportunity to relive a time from my past that I remembered as being a very happy and positive time in my life. When I’m out there on the court, I don’t have a worry in the world. In essence, I escape to a place where there is still hope. And even though the reality of my hoop-dreams are a thing in the past, playing here in S.Q., and still being able to compete with the younger guys, helps me to forget, for a few hours, my reality…and puts me back in front of thousands of screaming fans, both for and against the Warriors.
