In this exclusive first person account, Johnnie Ashe will relay this previously unknown chapter of his brother Arthur's legacy. Johnnie, five years Arthur's junior, returned from his first tour in Vietnam with the Marines. At the time, Arthur Ashe was a lieutenant in the Army working at West Point in data processing while fast becoming a rising star in the tennis world. When Johnnie was sent home however, Arthur suddenly became in danger of being sent to Vietnam. Johnnie volunteered to be sent back to the war in his brother's place so that Arthur could continue his budding tennis career. Johnnie would return home, and Arthur would go on to win the inaugural 1968 U.S. Open en route to a Hall of Fame career in tennis, made possible by his brother's selflessness.
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30 for 30 Shorts: Arthur and Johnnie (2013) Johnnie Ashe, the brother of tennis legend Arthur, sits down to talk about an important decision he made that allowed his brother to continue his tennis career, win the U.S. Open and possibly save his life. Both men were in the military as the Vietnam War was at full force and Johnnie was set to leave when he realized that by leaving it meant that Arthur might have to come and serve his time there. Not wanting that to happen, Johnnie stayed an additional term, which allowed Arthur to stay in America where he'd become the first black man to win the U.S. Open. It's funny seeing how laid back about the entire thing Johnnie is because he repeatedly says that he never wanted the attention for this story nor does he see he did anything "special" because brothers are supposed to help one another. The story is certainly a very interesting one and especially when you realize how different things could have been.Episode: B+