Larry Miller, an executive at Nike, has met with his family to ask for forgiveness.
Miller (72), met Edward David White’s family twice after telling Sports Illustrated in October that he spent some time in prison following the fatal shooting of the 18-year old when he was 16 years old.
Miller pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, serving four and a half years in prison and five more years for a series of armed robberies before turning his life around, eventually becoming chairman of the Michael Jordan brand at Nike and a former president of the Portland Trail Blazers, The New York Times reported.
Miller had an emotionally charged meeting on December 17 with White’s children, sister and daughter in Philadelphia’s Center City. a family member happened to read the article about the murder and his book, ‘Jump: My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom,’ according to The Times.
Miller met the Miller family last week and they said that Miller is a good friend. The reveal left them feeling ‘blindsided’.
Hasan Adams (56 years old) was just eight months when his father was shot to death. Azizah Arline (55) was still months away from her due date and had never met her father.
After he had announced in an interview with Sports Illustrated that he was serving time for his fatal shooting of Edward White, Larry Miller (72), met twice with White’s family.
Miller shared his story with Laila Lacy in Jump: His Secret Journey from Streets to Boardroom, a book he co-authored.
Arline explained to The Times that her father wasn’t named in the book and she felt like they were an afterthought. Miller’s failure to give the family notice before the Sports Illustrated article was published and the book was published, Arline said.
Miller said to The Times that it was always his intention to reach out and hire a private investigator. But that it made him nervous.
Barbara Mack (84 years old) said that White’s older sister White read Miller a note about her younger brother. It told Miller about White’s twin sisters, young son, and the baby who was on his way when he died.
Miller was also informed by her about Miller’s younger brother’s work at a diner. Miller learned that he had attended Job Corps Training and about all his’swag, which included his love for fedoras.
Mack stated to The Times she had forgiven Miller because God would not forgive her.
Mack claims that Miller was sorry and cried through the entire meeting. At the end, he asked her if she could hug him, but she said, “If I were 30 years older, I would have been at the table with you.”
Miller made a complete turnaround in his life, and became chairman of Nike’s Michael Jordan brand. He was also formerly president of Portland Trail Blazers. (Miller is pictured with Jordan).
Miller claims he was drunk and seeking revenge for the stabbing of one of his fellow Gang members by Pine, a rival 53rd or Pine gang member.
White wasn’t known by the business mogul, but White wanted revenge on the killing of his fellow gangster. White says that he killed and shot the first person who he saw.
White was not provoked and died immediately after being shot with the.38 Miller that he received from his girlfriend.
Miller shared his story with Laila Lacy, his daughter.
Miller told The Times that he hoped the meeting allowed for White’s family to feel his ‘remorse and sorrow for what happened,’ and said Mack’s comments about coming after him if she were younger ‘“I thought that this was a good comment.”
Mack told The Times she did not attend last week’s second meeting where preliminary discussions about establishing a scholarship foundation in White’s name were discussed because ‘I don’t have to see him anymore.’
White and her family would benefit from the foundation, which could help them and their children attend trade school and college. Arline White, White’s daughter, said that it also ensured her dad’s financial security. ‘did not die in vain.’
Miller stated that, although the details were still being worked out, Miller believed that they had agreed to do something to allow Miller’s name to be remembered and to give back to our community.
Arline said to The Times, that Miller will be held accountable.
She said that she would call her father on the carpet each time to make sure this was a lasting legacy.
Arline also reread the letter that Miller had read her during their meeting. In it, she stated that “it wasn’t right” that she didn’t get to meet her dad, or to hear his voice or smile, to have him give me away at my marriage, or to welcome his grandchildren.
He told her about the time that White’s mother had planned to marry her, but she was instead forced to become a single mom who struggled to meet all of her needs.
Her comment was that it felt like he died twice, and she wanted to know the truth.
White, a 56-year old son, said that he had also forgiven Miller.
Miller described the meeting with White’s family as a ‘full circle’. He explained that he had worked for forgiveness over the years and has done good in the community.
White said that his family has no animosity toward Miller, and they view him as someone who must make peace with themselves.
Arline stated that he could apologize repeatedly, but he had to forgive himself at the end. “He must make peace with the fact that he took another man’s life.”