Just last week, I was cutting up with a few people at the gym and feeling pretty darn good by the compliments I was getting, in particular my rope skipping. One of the regulars asked me if I was a boxer once, which was flattering, but I said no, though I wanted to be one as a kid.

I told the gang I loved the Rocky movies, cheered on Balboa, but I always wanted to be Apollo Creed instead. Seeing Carl Weathers pound that jump rope like he was on air inspired me back then and went after the rope for much of my life.

I do it backwards, instead of forward, which people tend to notice, but the other thing I said was how I’ve always felt Carl Weathers was the best-looking dude I’ve ever seen, a man of style, class, brawn and dignity we men should ascribe ourselves to. A week later, Carl left us. I mean, damn. Thanks for being a worthy idol your entire career. Apollo forever. RIP.

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.