San Quentin inmate turns life around in prison, now subbing in as Golden State Warriors’ commentator
The journey from prison to the Chase Center began with a microphone behind bars for Aaron “Showtime” Taylor, who spent 26 years behind bars at San Quentin for armed robbery.
“I feel like a kid. It’s a dream come true,” Taylor said as he sat at the Warriors Public Address Announcer’s Table. “A lot of hard work behind it, but it’s a dream come true.”
Taylor’s inspirational words moved the entire crowd.
“I worked hard in 26 years to rehabilitate myself,” Taylor said. “In the process of doing that, I just embraced the attitude that I could be more than what I was. Once I embraced the attitude that I could be more than what I was, then it was time for me to tell other people, you can be more than what you think you are.”
Taylor first started this hobby by calling the prison yard basketball games. He was eventually given audio equipment to improve his calls.
His talent caught the eye of the Warriors’ organization, and he was invited to be the guest announcer of a game just six months after being released on parole.
“It’s incredible,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said. “To see him get his second chance… that was a dope moment for sure.”
Stephen Curry invited Taylor to join him for the postgame interview, and even gifted him the game ball.
“The night before I was getting on the plane, I actually cried three times in the middle of the night,” Taylor said. “It’s fun to be here, but I was understanding the weight of the pressure. Look I’m formerly incarcerated and I’ve been given this opportunity in 6 months. And that was weighing on me.”
He continued, “In the end right now, I’m still an ex-con on parole living in a transitional home. I just happened to have the best 3 days of my life right now, but when I catch a plane to go back home, I am going back to the transitional home because I still have a responsibility to the state. It’s not a putdown to me. It’s how I stay grounded.”
Previous
