The homeless man with the “golden radio voice” wanted a second chance — and did he ever get it.
As soon as Ted Williams, a panhandler who became an online hit after video of him begging on an Ohio roadside was posted to the Internet, appeared on a local radio show this morning the offers began pouring in — including a dream job with the Cleveland Cavaliers and a free house.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers just offered me a full-time job and a house! A house! A house!,” repeated a stunned Williams, 53, on local radio station WNCI.
A caller to the show who said she represented the Cavs offered Williams, who shot to stardom after local newspaper the Columbus Dispatch on Monday posted video of his perfectly-pitched panhandling, a full-time job doing voiceover work for the team and parent company and a free home in Cleveland.
The Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, native trained to be a radio announcer before drugs and alcohol ruined his chances at a career, and he was reduced to begging on the side of a road in Columbus, Ohio, before the newspaper found him.
Local police would refer to Williams as “Radio man,” when chasing him from his usual begging spots, Williams said.
“I’ve been out there about a year; I just didn’t know anything like this would ever happen,” an overwhelmed Williams said earlier in the show. “There’s so many words. I’ve already been characterized to [Scottish singing sensation] Susan Boyle … I’m just so happy.”
Before the Cavs made their bid, the station said a group of credit unions offered Williams a contract worth up to $10,000; a caller claiming to rep MTV expressed interest in having him guest-announce a show; and callers who said they were the voiceover actors behind plugs for “The Simpsons” and “Entertainment Tonight” said they wanted him to compete on their upcoming “America’s Next Voice” — where the prize includes a home studio.
For a man suddenly thrust from an Ohio roadside into the hearts of the world, Williams set his sights low.
“Just to get back to some normalcy and responsibility — If I can a job, whether it’s a twenty-five or even $18,000, I’d be happy,” he said. “At least I know God has me where he wants me.”
Here’s the clip that made Williams famous:
11 Responses
He Looks like Obama
as we said in Hallel today
“Mikimi mafar dal, maeiyashpos yarim evyon – lehoshivi im nedivim”
may ALL of us in Klal Yisroel be zoche to be redemed of our tzuruas “kehereif eyein” Amen!
a gutten choydesh yiddin!
Why is this on Yeshiva world?
This is such an amazing story. He is giving credit to “God as I understand him” (a recovery program thing) on national TV every chance he gets with no embarrassment or apologies. It is so inspiring to see someone who was at such a low in his life accept a second chance with so much humility and gratitude!
At 04:30 he says: what changed in his life in recent years is that he now acknowledges G-D daily in all his ways and thanks Him for everything He gives him…What a lesson!!
“Teshuas Hashem KeHeref Ayin…”
Nice. I like the female reporter.
Good questions
G-d bless him.
A couple of things
#1. That was a very touching video!
#2. Why does he spaz so much?!?
#3. How do all the comments for EVERY article on Yeshivaworld come to Obama?!?
Actually wouldn’t be a bad idea, if someone offered Obama a job in talk radio. He has a good voice for it, and can darshan no problem for many minutes, without saying anything.
I could just hear it, “Your live on the air with Obama, what’s on you mind”?
I’m with yw fan: but want to add another question! Y did ywn put this article up? Shaychus?
My gosh! He really does have a natural gift!! Amazing (ugly) but an amazing voice!!