Little is known about Leroy Brown and even less is known about Jim Walker, but what we can learn through the lyrics of Jim Croce echoes a Jiu Jitsu lesson that should resonate with all of us. If you are unfamiliar with either of the two characters mentioned please follow these directions: First, slap yourself and recognize that you are an uncultured sloth. Second, immediately stop reading this blog post and take yourself to Apple Music, Spotify, or your music app of choice and with a tasty beverage, take 6 minutes and 4 seconds of your day (interesting each song is listed at 3:02… coincidence?) to enrich your 70’s spirit (along with reinforcing a valuable BJJ lesson) by listening to “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim.”
Mr. Brown is painted as a very tall and intimidating human standing 6’4”. He is obviously a bit of a ladies man referred to as “Tree Top Lover” by women and “Sir” by men in the neighborhood of the Chicago South Side. He is further described as a well dressed man who owns two very nice cars (which in the 1970’s must have been symbolic of affluence) not to mention his diamond rings that would commonly find their way of imprinting themselves on the noses of his foes. There is no wonder how he would become known as being tougher than King Kong and meaner than a junkyard dog. What is known about Big Jim is less descriptive but paints a similar picture. Jim is described as being extremely uneducated but uncommonly strong. Referred to as “boss” by the “bad guys” of 42nd street. Both songs make both men out to be almost superhuman and unbeatable.
As you Old Dogs know, that image comes to a shocking ending with Leroy’s face being rearranged by a jealous husband and Jim brutally beaten and killed by a skinny, South Alabama boy that was most likely hustled out of his money in a game of pool by Jim. What the hell does this all mean and how does it relate to Jiu Jitsu? Very simple… No matter how tough you think you are, there is always someone tougher. You have to imagine that if Leroy or Jim took the time to walk into a Jiu Jitsu academy, Croce would have been forced to write a much different song. Why? Because as you all know Jiu Jitsu is one of the most humbling lifestyles anyone can choose. Even the toughest competitor is reminded daily that they are only one mistake away from defeat. Training sessions are riddled with fatigue, defeat, and pain. Success finds itself sprinkled in sparingly enough to keep your appetite going. Even for those of us that compete on a regular basis, your record most likely reflects more “losses” than “wins”. That’s not because you suck. It’s because this is Jiu Jitsu.
This lifestyle creates a base line humility and increases your respect for everyone around you. Are there exceptions to the rule? Yes, of course, but the overwhelming majority of athletes that practice the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will be the kindest and most humble of humans. But don’t mistake this kindness for weakness. The same gauntlet that creates the humility also forges a trained fighter that is used to the day-to-day grind of fighting for their lives.
As my Professor says, “It’s hard to find bad people in Jiu Jitsu. The training either gets rid of them or makes them better people.”
