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The Letter:

Son,

I guess the only way you want to communicate with me is through the media. I recently read your article in Vibe and I felt like I needed to contact you. First off, I want you to know how happy and proud I am of you and your success. I was also blessed that your mother and step-father did an excellent job of raising you to the man you are today. I can also say that I am proud that you have done your best to be a father to your daughter. I don’t want you to have the regrets that I have had for not being in your life more than I have been. Your Grandfather, my Dad, left me at an early age as well. It is time to stop this cycle.

I actually thought that we were making positive steps to rebuild our relationship when we spoke last year during Labor Day weekend. I thought that call was going to be like it used to be when you and one of your girlfriends were together and you asked me how to cook tacos. We had a good bonding moment. So, when you called me last year, I thought we were having a private conversation only to see the video on Vibe.com of you asking me “are you clean,” like I’m some kind of junkie or something. I am NOT a junkie, but I am an alcoholic. I have been struggling with this disease my entire adult life and I am sad to say that it has really messed our relationship up. But the picture you paint of me in the media is not right. I am hurt that you would call your sisters out of their name. Did you realize that they were acting off of the video you put out first? You said you were upset for them lying and spreading family business. Do you realize that you put family business out there FIRST when you put our conversation on video for the world to see?

If your sisters were lying, then they were not putting family business out there. If they were actually putting family business out there in the streets, then they were not lying. So which one is it? Were your sisters lying or putting family business in the streets? I am concerned and worried about you. I am not sure if you know this or not, but alcoholism runs on both sides of your family. Both of your grandfathers and me have struggled with the disease. Please be careful and be mindful so that you will not succumb to this disease that is in your genes. I have went to several alcoholic programs and tried to get this thing under control, but nothing has seemed to work for me. This is something that I am struggling with day to day. I will be honest and tell you that I was offered to do a reality show, “Celebrity Dad’s with Regrets.” I wanted to do the show in order to rebuild our relationship. When we spoke on the phone last Labor Day weekend, I had a video camera on me as well. I did NOT have you on speaker phone, because I still wanted some sort of privacy with our conversation. Once we got off the phone and I had time to think, I realized that the thought of our relationship being rebuilt was far greater than any dollar amount for a TV show. I did sign the contract to do the show, but I backed out of the deal when I saw hopes of us reuniting and I didn’t want a reality show or money to get in the way of our father and son relationship.

I am posting the video of my side of the conversation, so the world can see the TRUTH (Scroll down to watch). That we had a good conversation and it was a happy moment for both of us and not the dark picture you painted. Lots of laughs and joking; not you yelling at me, “ARE YOU CLEAN?” I have also had people approach me to give interviews, talking about my past and your mother’s past, but I declined, even when offered money. I am not that type of person. Everyone has a past and I am not that type of man to tell someone else’s dirt for a dollar. I had seen in an interview where you said that I sent you a letter and misspelled your name. Did you know that I named you and how I came up with your name? You know I am a big sports fan. I really liked the name Ahmad Rashad, well really just Rashad. But you know me, I have to put my own spin on it and took the “Ra” off and just left “Shad” for your name. Not only did I name you, I was there when you were born and signed your birth certificate. I hate that you make it seem as if I was never around at all. You also need to know that there were times when things were not so smooth while your mother and I were living together. Even when dealing with my alcoholism I made sure we had a place to stay. My family loved me and helped me with all my flaws. We were evicted and had to live with my family members and my family sent us money in order for us to get back on our feet. Shad, I never asked you for anything, but I am asking for one thing now. Can you please stop throwing me under the bus and talking bad about me? I may be an alcoholic, but I never physically abused you. Keyshia Cole tried to help her Mother. Tyler Perry takes care of his family financially and he was sexually abused by some of them. All I am asking is that you stop dragging my name in the mud.

I wish you all the success,

Love Pops