Harvey Grant (7/4/65)
Former NBA player

Doug Pensinger/Allsport

How will you spend the Fourth this year?
I'm going to spend it with my boys (ages 12, 8, 7, and 4). We're gonna have a cookout, keep it basic. I've learned that if you do that, you stay outta trouble.

Does being born on the Fourth of July mean anything special to you?
I always keep in mind that a while back, on the Fourth, while everyone else was out partying and having a good time, my mom was in the hospital giving birth to two very big boys. It takes a great lady to be there, going through labor and all that, while the rest of the country is out doing its thing. She always told us we'd better appreciate her for that, and we do.

Best Fourth of July memory?
When Horace and I were 10 or 11, my mom and dad went out and got us a whole bunch of fireworks. We had the ones that you light, hold in your hand for awhile, then you toss them out and they explode. I remember one of those things must've had a short fuse or something, because it went off in my hand. I was just holding it and getting ready to throw it when ... BANG! I thought to myself, "That's the end of those kind of fireworks." Now, the boys and I go watch the big ones. Those are better because you don't have to clean up afterwards.

Worst part of having your birthday on FOJ?
Nothing. As long as you wake up and see sun shining, especially on your birthday, it's great. I love that I always get to spend my day with my family, and you always know somebody's partying.

Are people born on the FOJ different from those with other birthdays?
Al Davis, Steinbrenner, Digger Phelps ... those are take-control guys. They always say what's on their mind. Myself and my brother are like that too.

Food, beverage of choice on the Fourth?
We'll be cooking hot dogs and chicken on the grill, my sons will be drinking Gatorade and I'll probably have lemonade. My friends always bring over Coronas and try to peer pressure me into having a few. They say, "Come on! You're not driving, it's your birthday. You've gotta celebrate!"

If you could only pick one on the fourth, would it be: Beach, BBQ, Baseball or Beer?
A baseball game. I'm a big fan.

American History Quiz

1. Who wrote the national anthem?
2. What does the First Amendment guarantee?
3. Who sewed the American flag?

1. Man, I have no idea. [Francis Scott Key]
2. Equal opportunity? [Freedom of speech]
3. Oh my goodness. Betsy someone. Betsy...ah....ah...it's on the tip of my tongue. Ok, I give up. [Betsy Ross]
Wait, are you gonna talk to Horace? Tell him I got all of these right. There's no way he'll get them.