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The story of Houston McTear is one of rags to riches so often seen. What makes this story so compelling is what happens to this amazingly gifted athlete after that! This story of the fastest man in the world doesn't end there but becomes even more amazing after his fall from grace when his manager/promoter Harold Smith, who had brought Houston from his life of obscurity in Florida, was arrested and convicted of embezzling over 25 million dollars from none other then the likes of Mohammed Ali and Wells Fargo Bank. Houston was destitute almost instantly and lived on the streets of Santa Monica and soon turned to drugs. That may have been where the story ended if it weren't for a chance reunion with his long time friend Linda Haglund. The Swedish born runner had happened to see him one day outside of Santa Monica College. That reunion set in motion a miraculous transformation that goes far beyond the million dollar contracts of today.
The story of Houston McTear is one of rags to riches so often seen. What makes this story so compelling is what happens to this amazingly gifted athlete after that! This story of the fastest man in the world doesn't end there but becomes even more amazing after his fall from grace when his manager/promoter Harold Smith, who had brought Houston from his life of obscurity in Florida, was arrested and convicted of embezzling over 25 million dollars from none other then the likes of Mohammed Ali and Wells Fargo Bank. Houston was destitute almost instantly and lived on the streets of Santa Monica and soon turned to drugs. That may have been where the story ended if it weren't for a chance reunion with his long time friend Linda Haglund. The Swedish born runner had happened to see him one day outside of Santa Monica College. That reunion set in motion a miraculous transformation that goes far beyond the million dollar contracts of today.