Tyson’s wife backs slugger’s struggle
Mike Tyson’s wife is “standing by his side” after his recent relapse and stunning admission that he is “a vicious alcoholic on the verge of dying.”
Contacted on Saturday, Lakiha “Kiki” Tyson, who married the former world heavyweight champion four years ago, emailed me:
“Mike is thankful for all the support he is receiving and realizes the road to recovery comes with many challenges. He is disappointed with himself for his recent relapse, but he is committed to staying sober,” the statement read. “I am very proud of him and will continue standing by his side.”
Tyson revealed his latest addiction struggles during a news conference Friday at the Turning Stone Resort in central New York after Tyson’s first fight as a promoter.
Tyson brought up his sobriety issues while revealing that he planned to meet with his former trainer, Teddy Atlas, to end their long feud.
Beforehand, Tyson said he went to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting to explain “to my fellow alcoholics and junkies that I was going to deal with this certain situation here, and I explained the feelings that I evoked from it.”
Tyson grew teary when he revealed his relapse. “I haven’t drank or took drugs in six days, and for me that’s a miracle. I’ve been lying to everybody else that think I was sober, but I’m not. This is my sixth day. I’m never gonna use again.”
Loud applause greeted Tyson’s vow.
THE REST OF THE STORY
One of the loudest ovations at the Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame gala Aug. 17 came after longtime radio executive Tom Humm received a lifetime achievement award.
Humm, vice president and market manager for Beasley Broadcast, had finished his comments with some words of appreciation for his wife, Marcy, who was asked to join him at the podium.
He was a 16-year-old freshman at Bishop Gorman High School when “a beautiful young girl walked toward me. She had an aura of kindness and she was gorgeous.”
Humm told a friend later that day, “I’m going to marry Marcy Romeo.”
Marcy filled me in on the rest of the story by email last week.
They started dating as seniors and have been together since. They were married Dec. 27, 1974, the same wedding anniversary as her parents and her mother’s parents.
Thirteen years ago, she was diagnosed with autoimmune cirrhosis of the liver. “I never drank or did drugs, just something attacked my liver,” she said.
In May 2010 she received the dreaded diagnosis: She had liver cancer. She was put on a waiting list for a transplant.
Three years ago last week, she was given notice to be in San Francisco in six hours.
“I must have been surrounded by angels because three other recipients were waiting for organs (kidneys, etc.) from the same donor, and I was the only one who could continue. The other organs were not viable,” she said.
Her family joined her on the morning of her surgery. Tom Humm told the Red Rock crowd that doctors told the Humms they had a 50 percent chance of seeing her again.
They said goodbye to her as she passed in a wheelchair.
“Stop this chair,” she insisted. “I’m walking in ’cuz I’m walking out.”
Waves of applause washed over the crowd in the ballroom, and Marcy wasn’t the only one wiping away tears.
Recently, she learned the cancer is “back with a vengeance.”
“It’s inoperable as it has spread throughout my abdomen. So now it’s in God’s hands. I am surrounded by love every day of my life.”
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Ja’Nel Witt, winner of “Hell’s Kitchen” last month, won’t be taking the job as head chef of Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace. She was to start Monday, but she tweeted, “Due to personal matters, I will not be joining the team in Las Vegas, but I wish them continued success.” …
During the July fires in the Spring Mountains, restaurants donated meals to firefighters. We can show our appreciation by participating in Restaurant Week, which runs through Friday. Specially priced menus ranging from $20.13 to $50.13 help Three Square, Southern Nevada’s food bank.
THE PUNCH LINE
“An Iowa spokesman said the percentage of kids drinking five or more drinks in a day dropped from 73 percent in 2009 to only 58 percent last year. I like that they say ‘only 58 percent.’ That is when you know you have a party school on your hands.” — Jimmy Kimmel
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
