Melvin Turpin was a star in college with Kentucky, but weight problems ruined his pro career. The exchange with Ortiz between Utah and Zaragoza, unique in the history of a European team and an NBA team, his marriage to his high school teacher and the depression that led him to suicide
“Dinner Bell Mel.” Or even “The Mealman”. Poor Mel Turpin, he’s heard so many jokes about his weight. Americans are specialists in inventing nicknames for athletes. Many have gone down in history, becoming legendary, like The Chosen One, the Chosen One, for LeBron James. Or The Iceman for George Gervin, The Round Mound of Rebound for Charles Barkley. However, when they give you the Dinner Bell, or rather the bell that rings to indicate lunch time at school, or they enjoy paraphrasing the nickname of the Postman, The Mailman, aka Karl Malone, making you Mealman, where Meal stands for lunch, it means that in your career you are remembered only for that, how much you ate.
