Clint Dempsey admits that this week, in which he was named to the USA World Cup squad, has been somewhat overshadowed by events in his personal life, with the good news from U.S. coach Bruce Arena coming within 24 hours of the fatal shooting of Jonathan 'Big Hawk' Hawkins, with whom the New England Revolution midfielder had collaborated on his 'Don't Tread' hip-hop anthem.
Hawkins, 36, was gunned down on Monday night in Houston's south side. Police have admitted they have few clues about the death of Hawkins, who was known as a family man whose music was far removed from the violent, gun glamorizing lyrics often associated with the genre.
Speaking in the aftermath of the announcement of the World Cup squad announcement, Dempsey admitted that he was finding it hard to take everything in:
"I don't think either one has really set in. It was certainly a bittersweet day. For the World Cup, once I get to the camp I guess it will hit me. For the other, it probably won't be until I hear from my friends what actually happened or go home to Texas."
'Don't Tread', which has been adopted by Nike and used in several advertising campaigns, has been a popular inspiration to young soccer fans and Dempsey hopes that the influence that it has on people will only continue to grow.
"They play the song before the national team games which is really cool. I think it will pick up as we get towards the World Cup and I hope it does, in memory of Hawk, so that people get to see one of the last projects he worked on and what a good artist he was."
Dempsey and Hawk first got to know each other when working on the project and became friends as a result. The Revs star found out about the death through messages and phone calls from friends and admits that he, like the police, is unsure as to the exact events that surrounded the shooting.
Though there had been no immediate plans for the pair to work together again, Dempsey added that it had been a possibility, particularly given the open-minded attitude that Hawkins, who had little previous association with soccer, had had when the two first met.
"It was great what he did," Dempsey said. "He had to take a step out of his comfort zone to see what was going on. He didn't know who I was and we just kind of hit it off. Hopefully kids hear the track and it touches a few of them and they get influenced and motivated by it, because that's what it is for."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
