We’ve covered just about everybody who’s somebody in sports – from Claude Giroux to Shaquille O’Neal. But what have some of these superstars been up to since we last sat down with them?
Carli Lloyd
We just had to talk to Lloyd again back in August 2015 after she scored that incredible goal in the World Cup final, sending the ball sailing into the net from mid-field. The Delran soccer player has been in the spotlight ever since that moment — including the cover of our magazine. Since we chatted with her, the three-time Olympian helped the women’s team place fifth at the 2016 Olympic Games.
She’s also since adapted her book, “When Nobody Was Watching,” into a younger reader’s version called “All Heart.” Most recently, she’s had a hand in making a strong case for equal pay – part of the USWNT’s unprecedented battle with the U.S. Soccer Federation. It’s clear that on and off the field, Lloyd is a fighter.
Cooper Fortney
We spoke with Fortney, a Manasquan native, after he clinched the National Scholastic Surfing Association’s 2015 Interscholastic Championship. The then 18-year-old was the first East Coaster to win the title since Kelly Slater, a Florida native. Though he’s still surfing and competing, it doesn’t look like Fortney’s had a moment like his 2015 championship – though here at SJ, we’re always rooting for him.
Brawley “Cheese” Chisholm
We last caught up with the Cherokee High School grad this past August and chatted about being a Harlem Globetrotter and setting a new Guinness World Record. Yep – Chisholm’s the guy (along with teammate Ant Atkinson) who broke Kevin Durant and Dirk Nowitzki’s record of three pointers made in one minute. (Chisholm and Atkinson: 19, Durant and Nowitzki: 15). Chisholm has stayed with the Globetrotters, which recently just broke nine world records together – giving Chisholm his second title. Lately, he’s been working on his acting and modeling career as well, including a guest appearance on Disney’s “Dog With A Blog” show.
Claude Giroux
When we last chatted with Giroux in March of 2013, he had just been named the Flyers’ captain at the young age of 25. A lot of people were skeptical, but even more were excited about the Canadian athlete. Since then, it’s pretty safe to say he’s become a household name. Giroux has remained a dominant force on the team and finished as a runner-up to the Hart Trophy in the 2013-14 season. During Canada’s gold medal run in the 2015 IIHF World Championship, he played a key role, scoring 10 points in 10 games. We hope this year he’ll help the Flyers go even further than just qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Shaquille O’Neal
In October 2015, we finally got to sit down with this Jersey all-star about growing up in the state and what the Boys and Girls Club did for him. We found out he visits clubs about once a month to inspire the kids he sees so much of himself in. Today, O’Neal has definitely not slowed down – he’s still visiting, donating and giving back what he can. This year, O’Neal was also one of five executive producers who created “Steps,” a film about a Jersey City victim of a robbery and shooting that falls right in line with O’Neal’s belief that where you’re going matters more than where you’re coming from. In terms of his athletic career, O’Neal reached another milestone: the Miami Heat recently announced they’d be retiring his number 23 jersey.
