Victor Conte
On Monday morning it was announced that the founder of SNAC, Victor Conte, had passed away after a short but hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 75 years old. Conte lived a long and productive life. No matter what you think of him, he made an impact and will be remembered.
Those of us who counted him as a friend, just wish he was around a bit longer.
My own personal history began with Victor at the beginning of 2010. I had written an article where I had stated that just because an athlete had continually tested clean for performance enhancing drugs that didn't mean that they necessarily 'clean'. After all, that was the purpose of taking such substances, of which, Conte and BALCO had become experts at concocting.
If I recall correctly, that particular article on Maxboxing.com was about Shane Mosley, who was involved with Conte prior to his rematch with Oscar De La Hoya in 2003. Later the two would wage a legal battle that played out very publicly over the comments made by Mosley, who claimed he took those substances unknowingly.
A day or two later after that article ran, I happened to get an email that had Victor's name attached to it. Being a rabid sports fan I was fully aware of who Victor was. The reality is that if you watched sports in the late 90's you understood the impact BALCO had on the world of sports. I immediately asked if this was the supposedly notorious Victor Conte. He said he was, and within a few hours we were on the phone where we engaged in what would be the first of our long conversations.
I have to admit, it was surreal talking to Victor. I wasn't necessarily star-struck, but this was different than talking to a boxer or promoter (something I had already done numerous times). This former bass player for the 'Tower of Power' had become a mainstream figure in the sports world for how he helped shape history -- and the record books. Let's face it, most people that I had interviewed had never been featured on 20/20.
Victor Conte
We quickly hit it off, and soon I would pen a piece featuring Victor's thoughts on PED's and drug testing in boxing. After a while it was my colleague at Maxboxing, Gabriel Montoya, that would more or less do most of the stories with him and this issue, that he had a keen interest in.
Regardless, Victor, quickly became a great source of information and knowledge for many of us that covered the sport of boxing. He was an incredibly valuable resource for all of us. We learned a lot and we heard some incredible stories. Victor was one of the two or three most intelligent people I have ever met. His memory and recall was astounding.
To some, he was a pariah, to others he was a pioneer. Both are probably true. After all, he did do a stint in federal prison for his role in BALCO, but as he regained his freedom, Victor vowed to become an agent of (positive) change, and an advocate for clean sports -- particularly boxing.
Victor Conte
Now, he was not universally embraced and some were suspicious of his intentions. But many others were staunchly in his corner and believed in him. I have no problems admitting that I was one of them. That came with some slings and arrows itself, but hey, you understood that came with the territory. People can be very hypocritical in that way, they are willing to forgive and forget only when it suits their agenda.
His is a story of rehabilitation and redemption. They say that there are no second acts in American life, but with all due respect to F. Scott Fitzgerald, Victor showed that to be untrue. His was among the most unique and colorful lives in recent memory. Through it all, he was always unapologetically himself. Victor was a true renegade.
He never ran from his past. Victor wasn't proud of it, but he understood the role he played with the likes of Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery, Barry Bonds and many other world-class athletes. The SNAC facility walls are plastered with pictures and posters of just about everyone he worked with. I even have two BALCO t-shirts that he gave me. (And yeah, I consider them valuable possessions. When I wear them it usually becomes the topic of some interesting conversations.)
Victor with Devin Haney
The one thing I truly admired about Victor is that he was not afraid to take a stand against anything or anybody. If you go to his Twitter timeline he did not hesitate to battle the most powerful figures in the sport of boxing (from sanctioning bodies to promoters). More than anybody, Victor understood that given his own past, he himself would be the subject of much derision. And he didn't care what the popular sentiment was, or how people perceived him.
Victor was tough, pugnacious, stubborn, committed and steadfast in his beliefs. There were times when I thought he shouldn't be so out-spoken, or perhaps dial back some of the things he posted. Y'know, that whole thing about less being more. But he felt that the hard truth spoke the loudest.
You can associate Victor for BALCO or SNAC. If you were honest about it, you'd understand that both are a vital part of his legacy. He'd be the first to tell you that.
Talk to anyone that was close to Victor and they will tell you that he is among the best allies and friends you will ever have. Generous beyond belief, and loyal to the very end. I'm going to miss his late night texts, and the lengthy chats with him over the phone. It was always a good time with Victor. The dinners were good, the drinks flowed and the laughs went on throughout the night.
I was lucky to have known him.
