When we left off in Part 1 of The Heat‘s exclusive with Dionte Holloway, he was discussing his childhood and growing up in L.A. Check out Part 2 of our exclusive below:
THE HEAT MAGAZINE: What led you to an interest in sports?
DIONTE HOLLOWAY: I think the biggest factor that led me to sports was my competitive nature and my “I will not lose mentality.” The other factor was that sports kept me out of trouble and it gave me something to accomplish in my life. I cried when Jordan and the bulls beat Magic and the Lakers for the championship. I used to race kids for money in junior high and even in college, I played wide receiver because I wanted to play for Brett Farve. I always wanted to be the best at everything I did, not just sports. Ali, Jordan, Magic, Kobe, Moss, Primetime – I wanted to be them and I wanted what they had, so I drove myself to be great at every sport I played.
THE HEAT MAGAZINE: Who inspires you?
DIONTE HOLLOWAY: My inspiration comes from my grandma, Mary E. Reynaud. She was my heart and one of my best friends. Growing up, she was the best at making me feel better when I did something wrong or even protecting me from whippings from my mom. I admired her hustle and her constant drive that family was #1 no matter what. I just recently lost my grandma at the end of 2011 and I’m still deeply hurt by her being gone, but I know she’s not suffering anymore. Now more than ever, I’m inspired to make my dreams happen and reach my goal because I feel like I’m doing it for me and for her. She was my #1 supporter and believed in me more than anyone on this earth. I know she’s watching down on me and she will be with me on this journey.
THE HEAT MAGAZINE: Growing up, who did you look up to?
DIONTE HOLLOWAY: Growing up, I looked up to very few people – my grandpa and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They were the most influential people I could take from and learn from. I looked up to Dr. King because of the fight he stood for and the sacrifice he made, not just for one race but equal rights for all. If it weren’t for Dr. King, who knows where we would be as people and as a country. I looked up to my grandpa because he is a REAL MAN and the best father figure I ever had in my life. The wisdom he has shared with me and the way he puts it all on the line for his family. The sacrifices he made to leave his family in Louisiana and come start new in LA were hard, but he did it. My grandpa is the best man I know and I just want to make him proud.
