{"id":22224,"date":"2026-02-20T10:09:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T16:09:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sabathani.webaloolabs.com\/?p=22224"},"modified":"2026-02-20T10:12:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T16:12:53","slug":"if-the-mountain-was-smooth-you-couldnt-climb-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sabathani.webaloolabs.com\/?p=22224","title":{"rendered":"\u201cIf the Mountain Was Smooth, You Couldn\u2019t Climb It.\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Honoring Bob Williams, A Pioneer, Husband, and Builder of Community<\/h2>\n

This Black History Month, as we prepare to unveil the portrait of Robert \u201cBob\u201d Lee Williams in Sabathani Community Center\u2019s Southside Sports Hall of Fame<\/a>, we remember more than a basketball player.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>We remember\u00a0a pioneer.\u00a0We remember a husband of 68 years.\u00a0We remember a man who\u00a0helped to\u00a0build\u00a0institutions that still shape our community today.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bob Williams (May 12, 1931 \u2013 January 19, 2021) made history as the first Black player for the Minneapolis Lakers\u00a0during the 1955-56 season and part of the 1956-57 season. But history books only tell part of the story.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To understand the full legacy, you\u00a0have to\u00a0hear it from the woman who walked every mile beside him \u2014 his wife of 68 years, Marietta Williams. As we connected to discuss Bob\u2019s induction into Sabathani\u2019s Southside Sports Hall of Fame\u00a0on February 27, she shared the story behind the history.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Williams, Thank You for Paving the Way.\u201d<\/h3>\n

Years ago, the Los Angeles Lakers contacted Bob with a special request.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Kobe Bryant \u2014 in his final season \u2014 wanted to meet him.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThey said, \u2018Mr. Williams, since you were the first Black Laker, Kobe is playing his last game in\u00a0Minnesota\u00a0and he asked if he could meet you.\u2019\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the Target Center, the press escorted Bob and his wife down to the locker room.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThe bus pulled in with the Lakers. We were told Kobe was coming by limousine. When he turned the corner, he stretched out both arms and hugged my husband and said, \u2018Mr. Williams, thank you so much for paving the way.\u2019\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She pauses.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI\u2019m\u00a093 years old, and\u00a0I\u2019ll\u00a0never forget two things about Kobe. That young man was so humble \u2014 like an extended family member. And he\u00a0glowed with self-confidence.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Kobe walked away, he turned back and shared something that has stayed with her ever since:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf the mountain\u00a0was\u00a0smooth, you\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0climb it. And if you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0try to climb that mountain,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0stay at the bottom.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Now, at 93, she shares that message with young people everywhere she goes.<\/span> \u201cI tell them \u2014\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0you stay at the bottom of\u00a0nothing.\u00a0We all\u00a0fall\u00a0down. But we\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have to stay down.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From Pensacola to Minneapolis<\/h3>\n

Bob\u2019s journey to Minnesota began far from bright lights and professional arenas.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He and his wife married at 18 and 19 years old in Pensacola, Florida. He worked for $27 a week. It\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0enough to support his young family, so he enlisted in the Air Force.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>While stationed in Texas, he played on the Air Force basketball team. A coach approached him with life-changing news: he had been selected to play in the Second Pan American Games \u2014 a competition that paved the way toward the Olympics.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>He trained in Ohio. He played in Mexico. He was named\u00a0Most\u00a0Valuable Player.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then\u00a0came another phone call.\u00a0\u201cBabe,\u201d he said, \u201cGuess where\u00a0I am?\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0in Minnesota.\u201d\u00a0He had just signed with the Minneapolis Lakers for $6,500 for the season.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The team promised four things:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n