Forever Changed

In John Feinstein's book, The Punch, he takes us back to December 9, 1977. This night marks the most violent moment in the history of sports. Regardless that the L. A. Lakers went on to defeat the Houston Rockets, the memory etched forever into sports history is Kermit Washington's devastating blow to Rudy Tomjanovich.
Feinstein begins with the infamous night then starts over with each man's life growing up in different but still tough circumstances. Both men had a voracious work ethic that brought them into the NBA and one that continued as the impact of the punch played out in their lives.
After reading the book, it is tempting to think that Feinstein skewed a favorable light on Kermit Washington. But testimony after testimony gave creedance to Washington's character. The Punch thrown that night is a horrific sight. The only type of man that would do such a thing is a monster, a man bent towards horrid violence. At least that's what you'd think after watching it.
Washington and Tomjanovich have spent their entire lives getting over the impact of The Punch. Those aren't my words. Those are their lives speaking out on every page of Feinstein's book. Their connection is gripping. More so, it is remarkable as they each disclose to Feinstein how connected they are twenty some years afterwards.
Washington remarked, "I feel like I've been married to him for twenty-four years." In the end, Tomjanovich wished Washington well not because they've been married but "because we're brothers".