CLEVELAND — Throughout his 19-year career in the NBA, Charles Oakley was known as "The Enforcer." It's a title he earned due to his tough and gritty style of play.
A style that was formed here in Cleveland.
Growing up on 123rd and Superior Avenue, Oakley would take two city buses to and from John Hay High School each day. At John Hay, Oakley was a football and basketball standout. Earlier this week, he went back to his alma mater to speak with student athletes about the importance of them following their own path.
Oakley's life has brought him down many paths from the NBA to cooking and even Dancing with the Stars.
He's also an author. His book that was released earlier this month, The Last Enforcer, follows his life and career.
"The book is a lot. It's hardcore," Oakley tells 3News' Austin Love. "It's my whole life. It's funny. The stories really drive it."
Some of those stories give perspective to his relationship and friendship with former Chicago Bulls teammate Michael Jordan.
"MJ saw me taking no trash from nobody," Oakley says. "I made him tougher."
Throughout the NBA All-Star weekend in Cleveland, Oakley has remained busy hosting a number of events for his foundation -- the Charles Oakley Foundation -- including cooking 500 meals for the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry's Men's Shelter.
3News captured Oakley making breakfast at the men's shelter early Friday morning: