From Rags to Riches: Ted Williams, Voice of Hope

Throughout American Studies we have been discussing social classes and the separation between upper class and lower class people in today's society. After many discussions and reading Class Matters, it became evident to our class that the classic "rags to riches" story is not as common as we had thought. In class we have read articles from many poor people who feel it is nearly impossible to get further in life and we have learned about the struggles poor people face everyday.
Ted Williams stands off of interstate 71 in Columbus Ohio everyday holding a sign that read, "I have a God given gift of voice. I'm an ex-radio announcer who has fallen in hard times. PLEASE! Any help will be gratefully appreciated :) Thank you and God bless you/happy holidays." Ted worked as a radio announcer until 1996 when he became a suffering alcoholic. Ted lost his job and has been living on the streets ever since. Although he has been sober now for a little over two years, Ted has been unable to reenter the career world.
A few weeks ago, a dispatch videographer decided to film Ted and present the video of Ted's voice on his website. Since the release of this new video and Ted's appearance on Youtube, he has been bouncing around the media. In fact, the Cleveland Cavaliers recently offered Ted an annoucing job at Quicken Loans Arena, the Cavs home stadium. The Cavs are offering Ted a two year contract as well as a place to live. Although Ted has been arrested on several accounts for both theft and forgery, Tracey Merek, senior vice president of marketing explains, ""We believe in second chances and second opportunities," and therefore the team's offer still stands.
In addition to the Caveliers offer, NFL films who has been filming the NFL games for nearly 50 years, has been pursuing Ted. Although Ted has not committed to either organization, it looks as though this homeless, recovering alcoholic is in for a better feature. Bob Ater, executive director of the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless, explained that Ted should stand as a role model or inspiration for other homeless people. Hopefully, like Ted other homeless men and women will be able to take advantage of their talents and recover their lives the way he did. Does Ted Williams represent the progress America has made in increasing a person's ability to climb the social latter? Have we made progress? Is Ted's story foreshadowing the rise of America's homeless?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5991313