Hey there, my name is Karl “Chicco” Nacion and I’m a sports writer working and living in Toronto. This is my story.

From a young age, I knew I was destined for the sports world. It took me a while to realize that it was going be for writing, though the signs were always there.

My father worked night shifts and each morning he’d bring home a copy of the newspaper for me to read. When most kids were watching their cartoons, I was reading about what happened in last night’s game.

In the summer of 2001, I won a contest from the Toronto Sun to ask Raptors icon Vince Carter one question. I was understandably excited when I learned of the news, as would any other eight-year-old would be to meet their idol.

But as the day to meet Carter approached, the moment started to dawn on me. I wanted to ask Carter something memorable. Something that he and I might be able to look back on years from now.

Our brief interaction remains one of the most nerve-wracking moments of my life. Here I was, on stage with a microphone in hand and face-to-face with Carter. As numerous cameras flashed and zeroed in on us, I asked him, ‘How do you feel being compared to Michael Jordan?’

Carter paused with a smile before responding, “Every day I step on the court, I try to create my own legend.” Without realizing it, I was conducting my first interview.

I’ve carried those words with me every day of my life. There are writers whose style have influenced my own, but I’ve always wanted to ensure that my voice shone through each piece I pen.

Sixteen years later, I asked Carter about that statement and he seemed to be at peace knowing that he stayed true to himself for the duration of his career.

I’ve got a long way to go and there’s so much I want to accomplish, but hopefully I can look back on my path fondly as well.

- Chicco