Doc Rivers was one of many Bostonians soaking in Patriot’s Day — Boston’s own holiday celebrating it’s historic past and it’s future. Rivers lives not far from where the Boston Marathon ends and he had decided to head over there Monday afternoon.
That’s when the bombs went off.
Rivers recounted his story to the media, including A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.
“I had just gotten out of the tunnel when the bomb exploded,” Rivers said. “It’s just awful. It takes the joy out of sports. That’s what sports is supposed to bring, joy. It took all the joy out of the event, and out of the day. It was a long day for everyone.”
Rivers as a coach is now part of Boston lore and he understands the city. He found the positive. He, like a lot of us, saw the heroic choices and selfless love that flowed out of an act of hatred.
“Being in the city, the thing I will say is I’m really proud to be part of Boston,” he said. “I saw people who didn’t work for the police or anything like that, directing traffic, showing people were to go . . . I just thought the spirit of Boston was phenomenal. In a tragic event, it either separates you or brings you together. Clearly, it brought the city of Boston together which was awesome.”