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Born and raised in a tough neighborhood in Philadelphia, Najai Turpin came from humble beginnings. From an early age, the soft-spoken Najai saw boxing as an alternative to poverty and hardship. By becoming a successful boxing champion, Najai hoped he could provide a better life for himself, his family, and especially his pride and joy, daughter Anyae.
At the young age of eighteen, Najai suddenly became the man of the house when his mother passed away. He then had the additional responsibility of taking care of his younger siblings. In order to provide for his family, he not only juggled several jobs at once but, with fierce determination, also managed to squeeze in time to train at his neighborhood gym.
The means streets of his Philly neighborhood had recently dealt Najai another obstacle when he was carjacked at gunpoint and robbed of several hundred dollars in cash. Frustrated and thinking of revenge, he suddenly had a change of heart when the acceptance package from "The Contender" arrived at his door. Seeing his participation in the show as an opportunity to prove himself, Najai strongly believed it was a sign from God and "He was letting me know he had my back the whole time".
Against what seemed like insurmountable odds, Najai persevered and, at the age of 23, had risen to prominence as a promising young fighter with a 13-1-0 record that included 9 knockouts. Often called the "total package", he was respected by his peers for his dignity, his dedication to his family, and his deep passion for the sport of boxing.
In September 2004, Najai and 15 other amateur and semi-professional boxers began taping episodes of "The Contender", NBC's reality competition hosted and executive-produced by Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard. Najai was defeated by Sergio Mora in the fourth episode.
The series began airing in March 2005... but sadly, Najai did not live to see his episodes air. After he taped his episodes, the relationship between him and his longtime girlfriend, Angela Chapple, started to become strained. The two fought for custody of their 2-year-old daughter, Anyae. Najai was so heartbroken about losing his daughter that in the early hours of February 14, 2005, he shot himself in the head in his car in front of Angela's house.
He is buried at Rolling Green Memorial Park in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
As everybody knows, I hate reality TV shows; however, Najai Turpin's suicide broke my heart. I began reflecting on my own experiences as a teenager and how it paralleled Najai's final months. I've never really touched on my teenage life publicly, but it bears a lot of relevance here. In the spring of 1998, when I was 18 years old, my ex-girlfriend and I had a similar falling out and custody battle over our then 2-year-old son, Trey. When she got custody of Trey, I lost it. I couldn't bear the thought of not being able to see him every hour of every day.
One night, I grabbed my stepfather's handgun from the spare bedroom. While alone in my best friend Gil's truck, I took my wallet out of my pocket, kissed my picture of Trey, closed my eyes, and put the gun to my head. Immediately before I could pull the trigger, my hand went numb and I dropped the gun. I broke down in tears and repeated out loud, "What am I doing?! Why am I doing this?!" To this day, I have never touched another gun. The next morning, I called my ex-girlfriend and told her everything that had happened and that I didn't like the custody decision but I respected it.
Ladies and gentlemen, I've made a career out of being comical, satirical, and cynical on the Internet... but I'm gravely serious when I say that suicide is not the answer to anybody's problems. It is never the right way out of any situation, no matter how terrible or depressing. A promising young brother like Najai Turpin did not have to take his own life. I wish that I had known him more personally cuz I could've spotted the warning signs, told him about what I went through as a teen, and possibly even saved his life.
Najai, wherever you are, I'm sorry that I didn't know more about you when I talked to you on Marcus Tankersley's phone briefly back in November or watching your episodes of "The Contender", but I know now that I will never forget you. And this webpage will guarantee that nobody will ever forget you or your contributions to boxing, Philadelphia, and the United States. One day, brother, we will meet each other and become close friends. Peace.
This is one of only two Najai Turpin tribute webpages on the Internets. Fellow middleweight boxer and "Contender" contestant Ishe Smith has the other. Find his Najai tribute here.
On the night of March 26, 2005, I had a very emotional dream that involved Najai Turpin. Is this just another random Bored Buddy dream that means absolutely nothing... or is it remotely possible that Najai spoke to me from beyond the grave? You make the call. Go to the "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Bored and see for yourself.
Please donate money to the trust fund that had been set up on March 20, 2005, for Najai's daughter. Make your checks out to "Anyae Chapple Trust". Here is the address:
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, N.A.
1999 Avenue of the Stars, 26th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Attn: Fiduciary Services Dept.
I cannot stress this enough, but suicide is a very serious issue. If you or somebody you know is considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or go online to www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. I can't bring back Najai Turpin, but I can perhaps save the life of the next Najai Turpin.
As with Bobby Phills and Malik Sealy, the best song to eulogize Najai is "Tears In Heaven" by Eric Clapton. The MIDI can be heard in the background.
(instrumental intro)
Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven.
(instrumental break)
Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven.
(instrumental break)
Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees,
Time can break your heart, have you begging "please"... begging "please".
(instrumental break)
Beyond the door, there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven.
(instrumental break)
Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven.
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