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Tom Archdeacon: OSU's Freeman can relate to NFL's Ward
By Tom Archdeacon
Dayton Daily News
Thursday, August 31, 2006
COLUMBUS — A bit earlier, when Marcus Freeman had been surrounded by media, someone suggested he had big footsteps to follow and he'd just smiled.
Now — in private — he agreed.
But he wasn't referring to linebacker Bobby Carpenter, the first-round NFL pick he's replacing in the Ohio State defense, which faces Northern Illinois in Saturday's opener.
He was talking about Hines Ward.
If you're wondering what a Pittsburgh Steeler has to do with a Buckeye — what the Super Bowl MVP has to do with a 20-year-old Wayne High School grad who's yet to start a college game — don't think fame.
Think family. Think moms.
In the offseason, Ward took his Korean- born mother back to Seoul for the first time since she left 29 years ago and the pair was received like royalty. Motorcades, TV appearances, a meeting with South Korea's president — what a switch since the last time she was there and treated like dirt.
Her sin? She'd married a black American soldier and had Hines, a biracial child. In South Korea, that's been cause for discrimination.
Chong Freeman — Marcus' mom — is also Korean. When she read about the Wards' trip, she said she cried.
Although she said she knows "nothing" about football, she knows plenty about some of the experiences Ward's mom faced.
Chong grew up in Taegu City, South Korea and met Michael Freeman when he was stationed there in the U.S. Air Force. When they became a couple, she said "my experience was the same as it was for Hines Ward's mother. I marry a black man and people not like it. At first my family was disappointed. But when they saw how my husband respected me and treated me nice, they changed."
That's where the Freeman story is different.
Ward's dad left his wife after his son was born (in Korea) and then shipped Hines off to live with a grandmother for some seven years.
Meanwhile, Hines' mom worked three jobs, learned English and got her son back. While it was a struggle — she took no government assistance, got no child support — she built a life for her boy, who long-struggled with being biracial.
As for Marcus and his older brother Mike Jr., their parents provided a solid home. "We stressed respect, discipline," Chong said. 'When you're taught to say 'Yes sir,' you can't cuss behind it."
Chong goes to a Korean church, reads a daily Korean newspaper and cooks kimchi, rice and bulgogi, all of which Marcus loves.
"I know both my sons love Mommy," Chong said. "I asked them once, 'Are you ashamed your mother is Korean, not American?' And they said, 'No, no, we love you.'"
That's why Marcus wants to follow Ward's lead: "He's started a foundation for (biracial Korean) kids and I'd love to help. And my mom hasn't been back to Korea since she left (in 1979) so I want to take her there one day. Then I could learn about my culture, too."
After all, Mom's learning football.
"I get so nervous at games," Chong said. "Last year I finally asked Bobby Carpenter's mom, 'You have three sons who play football. Your husband played. How do you handle it?'
"She opened her hand and showed me a little ball she squeezes for stress."
Chong started to laugh: "This year, I have one, too."
Tom Archdeacon: OSU's Freeman can relate to NFL's Ward
By Tom Archdeacon
Dayton Daily News
Thursday, August 31, 2006
COLUMBUS — A bit earlier, when Marcus Freeman had been surrounded by media, someone suggested he had big footsteps to follow and he'd just smiled.
Now — in private — he agreed.
But he wasn't referring to linebacker Bobby Carpenter, the first-round NFL pick he's replacing in the Ohio State defense, which faces Northern Illinois in Saturday's opener.
He was talking about Hines Ward.
If you're wondering what a Pittsburgh Steeler has to do with a Buckeye — what the Super Bowl MVP has to do with a 20-year-old Wayne High School grad who's yet to start a college game — don't think fame.
Think family. Think moms.
In the offseason, Ward took his Korean- born mother back to Seoul for the first time since she left 29 years ago and the pair was received like royalty. Motorcades, TV appearances, a meeting with South Korea's president — what a switch since the last time she was there and treated like dirt.
Her sin? She'd married a black American soldier and had Hines, a biracial child. In South Korea, that's been cause for discrimination.
Chong Freeman — Marcus' mom — is also Korean. When she read about the Wards' trip, she said she cried.
Although she said she knows "nothing" about football, she knows plenty about some of the experiences Ward's mom faced.
Chong grew up in Taegu City, South Korea and met Michael Freeman when he was stationed there in the U.S. Air Force. When they became a couple, she said "my experience was the same as it was for Hines Ward's mother. I marry a black man and people not like it. At first my family was disappointed. But when they saw how my husband respected me and treated me nice, they changed."
That's where the Freeman story is different.
Ward's dad left his wife after his son was born (in Korea) and then shipped Hines off to live with a grandmother for some seven years.
Meanwhile, Hines' mom worked three jobs, learned English and got her son back. While it was a struggle — she took no government assistance, got no child support — she built a life for her boy, who long-struggled with being biracial.
As for Marcus and his older brother Mike Jr., their parents provided a solid home. "We stressed respect, discipline," Chong said. 'When you're taught to say 'Yes sir,' you can't cuss behind it."
Chong goes to a Korean church, reads a daily Korean newspaper and cooks kimchi, rice and bulgogi, all of which Marcus loves.
"I know both my sons love Mommy," Chong said. "I asked them once, 'Are you ashamed your mother is Korean, not American?' And they said, 'No, no, we love you.'"
That's why Marcus wants to follow Ward's lead: "He's started a foundation for (biracial Korean) kids and I'd love to help. And my mom hasn't been back to Korea since she left (in 1979) so I want to take her there one day. Then I could learn about my culture, too."
After all, Mom's learning football.
"I get so nervous at games," Chong said. "Last year I finally asked Bobby Carpenter's mom, 'You have three sons who play football. Your husband played. How do you handle it?'
"She opened her hand and showed me a little ball she squeezes for stress."
Chong started to laugh: "This year, I have one, too."
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