No Place Like Coming Home #VZWBuzz

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As a Verizon #MoreChicago Lifestyle Blogger I’m a member of a pretty cool
team of influencers. I have received a Motorola Droid Turbo (with a line
of service) from Verizon. No additional compensation was provided nor did
I promise positive feedback. All opinions are my own.

It’s no secret that I call Chicago home. I grew up in an era of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Our city is everything and sports loyalty is strong. So when LeBron James (King James), the modern day basketball superstar, made the decision to leave Cleveland and fans that were loyal to him, I lost mucho amounts of respect for him and vividly remember a city that burned at the betrayal (literally, burning his jerseys in the streets).

Since then, a family rivalry has been brewing. My cousin like a brother who grew up in the neighboring state of Indiana who then moved to Florida and now lives in Georgia is a massive fan of LeBron and his antics skills. He cheered on the Miami Heat to victory as those of us in Chicago lamented this journey. Our family, though separated by distance, are brought together often with our text sarcasm and biting commentary. We owe that family connectedness to Verizon – our cellular home.

So when LeBron James made the decision to head home to Cleveland after becoming a free agent last summer, our phones were lit up with the news. Could he really do this? After thinking life was better in and with the Miami Heat? After the chase for a set of rings and big trophies and championships? Why come back to his humble beginnings?

Image courtesy: Sports Illustrated

In his own words:

But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.

In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.

I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Not in the long run anyways. And if King James thinks it’s worth it to head back to his roots and remember what he left? Maybe the same could be said for you.

James is giving athletes a platform to share a piece of their lives with fans so they can say whatever they want without having to answer to a scrum of reporters dictating the conversation. Uninterrupted is essentially a reality show, a way for athletes to record short video diaries from their smartphones and the project is sponsored by Verizon Wireless.  The idea came to James last summer after his announcement last summer that he was #ComingHome. The ability to share our day to day life with family and friends, made possible by Verizon, is technology that still amazes me.

Where would a little friendly family competition be if we didn’t have Verizon? And don’t worry, Justin, even with our intense rivalry, you’ll always be welcome home. It’s closer to Cleveland anyways.

How does Verizon help you feel like you’re Coming Home?