Inspirational People

Sean Elliot: San Antonio Spurs

Sean Elliott, who has spent his entire pro career in San Antonio, with the exception of the 1993-94 season, has made his return to professional basketball. Sean Elliott had focal glomerulosclerosis, a disease that prevents the kidneys from properly filtering waste from the blood. He needed the transplant or faced the prospect of dialysis.

On March 14, 2000, seven months after a kidney transplant the scoreboard flashed "He's Baaaacckk!", for Sean Elliot. The crowd went wild and even the opposing Atlanta Hawks and the officials got caught up in the excitement, shaking hands with, and hugging, Elliott as he came onto the court.

Sean played 12 minutes in his return game. The Spurs won 94-79; Elliott was 1-for-3 from the field, scoring only 1 basket.

"The biggest things that were in my way were my nerves," he said. "I think during the national anthem I was trying to tell myself over and over -- 'Don't embarrass yourself.'"

Perhaps cheering the loudest were 46 family and close friends of Elliott, including brother Noel and mother Odiemae Elliott. His mother said before the game she cooked Elliott his favorite meal, spaghetti with turkey meat.

Here is a summary of what Elliot went through:

Aug. 16, 1999

Sean Elliott's older brother Noel donates one of his kidneys as Elliott undergoes kidney transplant surgery

Aug. 25, 1999

Sean leaves the hospital

Dec 23, 1999

Sean comes down with pneumonia

Feb 2, 2000

Sean begins practicing with the team on his 32^nd birthday

March 14, 2000