Ron Artest released a rap song after he won an NBA Championship with the LA Lakers, got in a brawl with a Detroit Pistons fan, and is now adding vegan to his list of many accomplishments. In a new interview with ESPN.com the NBA bad boy reveals his softer side: “Ron Ron is carrying a large bag of food for his lunch — all vegan. But Ron Ron is not entirely vegan. “About 80 percent,” he says. “I like pork chops.”
Who doesn’t Ron Ron… Who doesn’t!
Though his contract doesn’t expire with the Los Angeles Lakers until 2014, Ron Artest will try out to play in the NFL after he retires from the NBA.
Artest told CBSsport.com that he does not plan on resigning with the Lakers or with any other NBA team once his current contract runs out in 2014. Artest will be 35-years old and has plans to try out for an NFL team:
“God willing, after my NBA career, God willing I’m still athletic enough – which I’m trying to take care of my body as best as possible and be prepared for this day, for this tryout of an NFL team… It’s a fantasy of mine. It’s an opportunity because I’m athletic. So if that fantasy can be fulfilled, and if it’s something that can really be reached as far as a goal, I’m going for it.”
While Artest plans to continue in the athletic field after the NBA, other basketball veteran Ben Wallace wants to go to law school. The Detroit Pistons center told Yahoo Sports, “That’s my ultimate goal. It’s always been one of my dreams. I think I can argue a pretty good case. I think I can convince a couple of people to see things my way.”
Wallace has played 15 seasons in the NBA and just signed a two-year contract with Detroit worth $4.3 million. “I know my time is limited as far as being a player,” Wallace said. “That’s something I’ve already accepted and come to peace with.”
Both Artest and Wallace have won an NBA Championship. Wallace in 2004 with the Pistons and Artest this past summer with the Lakers.
Ironically, these two players who are both taking different paths post-NBA were at the center of one of the NBA’s biggest controversies, the 2004 Menace at the Palace.
Did you ever dream of one day winning an NBA Championship as a kid? Well now that dream could become a reality for you. LA Laker Ron Artest is auctioning off his championship ring he won with the team last season. The cost of a raffle ticket is just $2.00, but you must buy at least 5 tickets. All proceeds will go to Artest’s charity Xcel University, which mentors and helps high-at-risk children and those who suffer with mental illness.
On Larry King, Artest said he is not raffling off the ring for money but more for the message: “We did what we had to do last year to win a championship, and it presents all these opportunities and these ideas. For it to go toward mental-health awareness, I’m pretty happy about that. That’s already in motion.”
“We did what we had to do last year to win a championship, and it presents all these opportunities and these ideas,” said Artest. “For it to go toward mental-health awareness, I’m pretty happy about that. That’s already in motion.”
Artest was once the NBA’s most hated player. In 2004, Artest was the culprit for the Menace at the Palace, when Artest got into a fight with fans during an Indiana Pacers Detroit Pistons game.
Artest received his ring just this week at the Lakers’ opening night banner raising ceremony. The ring is 16 white diamonds set in 16-karat gold.
Laker Ron Artest was on Chelsea Lately this week to talk about winning the NBA Championship with the LA Lakers… but that’s not all the defender and rapper had on his mind! Artest put the moves on Chelsea, who is newly single after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend Ted Halbert who is the CEO of Comcast Entertainment and E!.
ESPN sideline reporter Samantha Steele is engaged to Minnesota Viking QB Christian Ponder earning her the honor of December 2012 Jersey Chaser of the Month. Share It