James J. Braddock - Guestbook

Welcome to the official guestbook of the James J Braddock website. Due to spam, we have been forced stop guestbook entries.

In 1968 I worked with Jim on the NJ Turnpike. He was an oiler and I was a carpenter on the job. I was only 19 years old. I told my friend I wanted to meet Jim but I felt awkard asking to meet the champ. Everyday I would see him and I would hope that someday I would get to meet him.
One day I got up enough courage and I asked my friend to introduce me to him and he did. Jim took the time to speak with me and wish me luck. I was only working as a carpenter until I would be leaving for college in September. I just told my mom who had recently passed away how he had made my day by talking to me. She said you probably made his day to by remembering him and that he was the World Heavyweight Champ. Judging from the smile on his face and the way he enthusiastically shook hands with me I did. I will never forget that day nor will I forget him. He was the champ and the guy who took the time to speak with a young impressionable kid and wish him luck.

He made such an impression on me that I read the book because I wanted to know more about him. And I saw the movie in honor of him. He's gone now but I will never forget him. God Bless Him and his family.

What a great story told about an honest, hardworking, loving person. If James J Braddock did nothing but win the Heavyweight Championship of the World, he would be a great story. But more important, he fought a greater fight than in the ring, by keeping his family together in the hardest of times. What a great story. Thanks for making us all aware of it.

What an inspiring story! I didn't know anything about James Braddock before tonight and am now going to go out read more on him. His integrity, courage, work ethic and love and devotion to his family should serve as an inspiration to many young people today who seem to find heroes in the wrong places. This man is a true American hero .

James and John, Before I saw the movie, I knew nothing about your grandfather. After seeing it I wanted to know more. Thanks for a great tribute to a great man. —Steve

I am grateful that this story was told. The movie was wonderful--terrific actors--but it would have been too contrived, too trite, if it hadn't been for the fact that it was true.
The strength and character of James and Mae Braddock will always remain with me and my family as a source of inspiration.

SO MANY TIMES I HAVE WORKED THROUGH JAMES J. BRADDOCK PARK. NOW I KNOW WHY THE PARK WAS RENAMED TO HONOR THIS GREAT AMERICAN. JIMMY BRADDOCK MAKES EVERYONE IN HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY PROUD.

I'm took my 11 year old son to see this movie, I found it to be a very powerful and my son learned a great deal about how our country was for many people during the depression.I seen many a great movie's in my day( Godfather,Saving Pvt Ryan etc) but this is the first movie in which I went home to research both fighters. Nice job.

What a great man and a great life! I cried and was so inspired by Jimmy Braddock's life that I will share this with my students when I return to school next month. At a time when young people idolize the wrong kinds of heroes, Jimmy Braddock stands out as a gentleman and a class act. Kudos to Ron Howard for bringing this incredible biography to the big screen, and Jimmy's life made me proud to be Irish.

What a great man and a great life! I cried and was so inspired by Jimmy Braddock's life that I will share this with my students when I return to school next month. At a time when young people idolize the wrong kinds of heroes, Jimmy Braddock stands out as a gentleman and a class act. Kudos to Ron Howard for bringing this incredible biography to the big screen, and Jimmy's life made me proud to be Irish.

A wonderful movie, best my wife & I have seen in a LONG time. A wonderful story of an honest man living in a difficult time who struggled and became the top in his game.
An inspiration for everyone.

I didn't know anything about James Braddock until I saw Cinderella Man. Ron Howard did a fantastic job (as usual) bringing this man's life to the screen. Russell Crowe should get an Oscar for his performance. I especially loved the relationship between husband and wife Jimmy and Mae, and the depictions of Braddock's courage, as shown in the ring. What I saw went way beyond courage when Braddock kept getting up, time and again, after he'd been hit. Simply put, Braddock knew God was with him when he was fighting. Thank you for bringing this inspiring man's life to the screen in a great movie.

Watched the wonderfull movie yesterday. Today's athletes could learn a lesson from Mr Braddock.

does anyone know the name of and location of the church used in the filming of Cinderella Man? the church where they all huddled and it was shown with the entrance overlooked by what appeared like the Virgin Mary?
Thanks

i watched the movie last night. it was just great. i am a boxing fan and only wish todays fighters (had the class jim had and joe lewis.rocky m. sugar ray r and many more. congrats on a super man and movie

Wow! What a fabulous movie and life. I really had no intention of seeing a movie about boxing until my friend suggested we see it, i'm so glad she did! What a lesson for the people of this generation, and what a lesson in manhood and what it means to be a real husband, father, protector, and citizen. I will make sure both my teenage sons see it. It is time society stopped trying to re-invent manhood and just let men be real men, like James Braddock!

It is a very good story and the really wonderful part of it is that it is true, not movie fiction. Your grandfather was a fantastic example to those of his time and we all have a lesson to learn from his grit and determination. Your Grandfather lived this wonderful story and Ron Howard did a first class job of bringing it to the screen.

I was born in Detroit in 1937, a year after Joe Louis took the title from James. So many stories about the depression growing up..what a moving story this was inspired by a true, gritty, tough American immigrant, James Braddock! We all can learn so much by viewing this great movie. Thanks, Ron Howard, for bringing to life a tough era but a meaningul building block for this wonderful country of ours.

my grandfather used to tell me stories about james j braddock when i was growing up, he passed 20 years ago, thank you for bringing back his memories as you brought bac your own, i didnt know your grandfather , but his memory lives on , ty

HERO has a new name, his name was JIM BRADDOCK and his legacy lives FOREVER. THANKS MR. BRADDOCK

Best movie I have seen in a long time. It was so inspirational. It made me want to be a better person. Thanks to James for being who he was and a big thanks to Ron Howard for deciding to make this movie. If they rerelease this in the fall it will do wonders at the box office. How could it not?

So many years later , Jim Bradock is still making a positive impact on so many people. I wish there were more people with his integrity. Perhaps there will be with his message.Our country needs it now more then ever.

I got the book written by Marc Cerasini as a father's day present. Best prsent I've ever gotten. Today, July 3, 2005 I went to see the movie. Simply Oscar quality. Super inspiring. Very human. I'am 44 and a fan of James J. Braddock, the proud of the Universe.

I saw "Cinderella Man" twice! James J. Braddock was an inspiration and true American hero. Thanks for sharing this great story with us all!

Me and my boyfriend just went and saw the movie today, he's the one really into boxing. But i have to say this movie is more than just boxing... He was a great human being, he loved his family so much and would have done anything for his family.. He was very loyal man, something you don't see in the young men now a days.. I just really loved the movie, Ron Howard did a great job......

What a true hero he was. His story is an inspiration. Thank you for sharing him with the world!