I'm really proud of ESPN this morning... what a refreshing breath of air to hear all announcers supporting the suspension of "that quarterback from FSU".... What I'm about to type has nothing at all to do with the team that this young boy is on... it has to do with character... and the character that I want for my children to have....
I'm sure this young man and the other five who have been recognized just this week in the NFL grew up just like the little boy who Mark and I are responsible for... they dreamed of playing football and making it big.... One of them even won the Heisman... I mean... that is a dream that will only come true for a few...
I'm not sure of when and where, but I remember Daddy saying that everyone makes a mistake and it's okay.... I agree with that 100%. We are all entitled to make a mistake and most importantly, learn from that mistake... and here comes the "but".... it's what we learn from that mistake that really matters.
So I pose the question... do these young men who have been accused, and some found guilty of abusing women, truly believe they have learned from their mistakes. I think not seeing that many of them are repeated offenders. In that case, I think that someone else has to step in and make decisions based on the poor decisions of them. I'm by no means a liberal, but I do believe that given an opportunity and guidance... people can make changes and become better. But how many chances are enough? I know God gives us unlimited chances, but how many young girls and women have to be harmed and insulted by these men before someone says / does something?
What bothers me most in all this? I have a teenage daughter who in four years will be sitting in a college cafeteria and will she have to be subjected to behavior like this? When will it stop? Who will diminish behaviors like this? For athletes, I think it is the coaches' responsibility. No, we can't tell them how to make every, single move in their lives, but we can let them know that these unacceptable behaviors will not be tolerated. Where are the morals and values for these young men? It's a hard decision, but sometimes learning that winning isn't everything is much better than allowing "thugs" to play! I also have a little boy who sits in front of the television on Saturdays and Sundays and watches these men and mimics everything they do.... on the field... he wants to dress like them with tape wrap, towels, headbands.... everything.... and how do I break his spirit and tell them that they are scum at the bottom of the ocean for treating women like they do? In my opinion, these men should be banned from playing. And if Ben ever does anything like this... he shouldn't be in a position to be a role model... ban him too!
So how do we fix this? It's simple.... we find role models for our children who set good examples and rely on God for judgment and acceptance.... Immaturity by a player isn't an acceptable answer to me and that "he will mature in time"... I want Ben to admire the characters of players and not just their athletic abilities... I want KB to admire the character of a young man.
I have seen a new light over the past few weeks, and I'm thrilled that people in authority are making examples of these repeated offenders. Whether FSU wins or loses tonight... I'm glad they decided to step in and make this young man think about his actions and focus on the fact that just because you are "special" doesn't mean that you can do whatever you want to do and get away with it!
And now....
Matthew and Javon serving as team captains.
Being gentlemen... wish some of the fans for the other team had some manners to follow these players.
Let's hope all these boys remember that winning doesn't happen because of one person...it happens because of a team.... the cliche that "there is no I in team".... has never been more true!
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