Marcus Smart Got Reality Check When His Older Brother Died: "You're The Last One"

Marcus Smart recently shared a deeply personal and transformative experience on the "Run Your Race" podcast with Theo Pinson. He recounted the traumatic event of losing his oldest brother, which marked a significant turning point in his life and forced him to grow up quickly.

"When my oldest brother died, my other two brothers pulled me to the side. I'll never forget this. I'm walking into the hospital, and the doctor told my mom, 'His heart's still pumping, he's brain dead. What do you want to do?'"

"She said, 'Pull the plug. It's done. He's fought.' And this was one year for you. I was a kid; I was like 12, 11 or 12 when they did that. I remember running, all my family's crying, and I go in, I touch my brother, he's laying in the bed, looks like he's asleep."

"I touch his feet, he's cold. I get in the bed, I lay with him, I kiss him, and I say, 'I love you,' and 'I got us.' Never forget it. I walk out of the room, I'm crying, and my oldest brother grabs me. He was like, 'What you crying for? Wipe your tears.' And I'm like, 'Bro, I'm a kid. Don't tell me to wipe my tears. Like, what you mean, bro?'"

"And he kept it real. He said, 'I f***ed up. My other brother f***ed up. And the only one that could have made it is gone. Mama ain't got nobody no more. You're the last one."

"And if you don't make it, then what we doing?' So all that time to be a kid, that shit's dead. You're no longer a kid. All that going out, doing all this, nah, nah, nah. You need to make sure this is going to happen." (22:55)

As a young boy, Smart was faced with a devastating moment when his oldest brother was declared brain dead. The decision fell upon his mother to end life support, acknowledging that his brother had fought enough. Smart vividly remembered the somber scene at the hospital: his family in tears, the cold touch of his brother’s feet, and the final moments he spent lying next to his brother, saying his goodbye.

This loss hit Smart hard, but it was the subsequent conversation with his other brothers that truly changed his perspective. They pulled him aside and, in a moment of harsh reality, told him that their mother now had no one else to depend on.

They had both made mistakes and now the responsibility fell on Smart as the last hope for the family. They emphasized that he no longer had the luxury of being a carefree child. Instead, he needed to focus on ensuring his own success for the sake of his family.

This conversation served as a wake-up call for Smart. It instilled in him a sense of duty and the understanding that he needed to step up and be the man his family could rely on. The carefree days of his childhood were abruptly ended, and he had to take on a level of responsibility far beyond his years.

This pivotal moment became the driving force behind Smart's determination and resilience. It fueled his relentless work ethic and commitment to succeed, not just for himself, but for his family who needed him. This experience and the resulting pressure to perform and excel have shaped Smart’s character, contributing to the tenacity and grit he displays on the basketball court.

Smart’s story is a poignant reminder of how personal tragedy and responsibility can forge a person’s path, driving them to achieve greatness despite the odds. For Smart, this tragic loss and the subsequent reality check from his brothers became the foundation of his success and dedication to his family’s well-being.

Related: Marcus Smart Makes A Statement After The Celtics Win A Title Without Him

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