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Royce Gracie on Helio's Passing

Royce Gracie provided an open letter to Tatame regarding the recent passing of his father Helio.  I'm going to forego our normal rules and post the entire letter here:

Today my father, Helio, at the age of 95 passed on. I am honored to be the son of such a great man! He was an inspiration to me throughout my life. As a Grandmaster of Jiu-Jitsu and the father of "Vale Tudo" he brought Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the forefront of martial arts. He was a man of small stature but his heart was that of a giant. He proved with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu that even a small man could overcome a bigger stronger opponent by using leverage and technique. He was truly an innovator. Just look around and you can see how his success gave birth to the sport of mixed martial arts that we all enjoy today.


Many of you may think that the greatest thing my father ever gave me was Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. But I want all of you to know that I will remember him most for what he taught me off the matt. He taught me how to be a man, a husband and a father. He showed me how to be honorable, respectful and diligent. He taught me how to be a whole person.


I ask that together we celebrate the remarkable life of my father, Helio Gracie. The greatest tribute you can to pay to my father is to continue to train and share Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, remembering to never lose sight of the fact that what you do off the matt counts more than what you do on the matt. Face life's challenges with confidence, dare to pursue your dreams and live to the fullest just as my father did.


God bless us all!
Royce

It is always nice to see the more human side of fighters, and while most of us weren't given the gift of jiu-jitsu by our fathers I think there is a large segment of us that can related to the idea of a father teaching you how to be a real man.  I hate to sound overly sappy but reading this letter did motivate me to call my dad just to see how he was doing.

I must say it one more time...R.I.P. Helio

-- more photos at Sherdog.com

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good article

this is very touching article. Good job Brent. And you wont get any crap from all the haters like you did on the AA/Fedor article of yours.

Keep up the good work. your article inspire me to keep living in this horrible world full of pricks.
I love you brent!

by junglist1977 on Jan 30, 2009 12:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I don't know if anyone noticed

it says on Tatame that the UFC will honor Helio at 94.

Kuwabara Kuwabara

by J. B. Maddox on Jan 30, 2009 1:00 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

It’s important to keep MMA and other sports in context. These are people we discuss on a daily basis with lives outside the realm of fight.

Furthermore, we should respect and remember both Helio and Royce for what they’ve done for MMA. We get so caught up in the now that I believe the past is diminished to a certain extent. Whether you’re a Gracie fan or not, it’s difficult to picture what MMA would be (if anything) without their contributions.

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 30, 2009 1:08 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

There is something...

very interesting in the contrast between the “fight of the era” tomorrow and reflecting on what was given to us by Helio and his family. Trying to balance the two stories in my mind the last few days has been challenging and yet kind of rewarding at the same time.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Jan 30, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

wow that pretty deep. Keep up the good work

by junglist1977 on Jan 30, 2009 5:22 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Pic from his 95th birthday.

by Nick Thomas on Jan 30, 2009 1:40 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

He really doesn’t look old, per se. Yes, he looks aged, but still aware, lively, healthy. I guess BJJ everyday keeps both your body and mind healthy.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Jan 30, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Just out of curiosity

Are the Gracies a religious family at all?

Im really just curious, I know sometimes mentioning religion can unfortunately ignite a less than desirable conversation, and I certainly dont intend for that to happen.

im not impressed with your performance

by troy145 on Jan 30, 2009 2:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

It will be good if they honor his memory at UFC 94.

With any luck I’ll get to meet Royce in a month.

by SamCupitt on Jan 30, 2009 7:22 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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