Football Whitlock: Sad to say, but Vince Young's problems were predictable - Page 4

Deberg_1990 · 09-11-2008, 05:17 PM

Imagine that, another lecture on race....

Good read as always JWhit.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8...re-predictable

I'm going to do my best to avoid turning this into an I-told-you-so column.

But the truth is, I told you before the 2006 draft that Vince Young was primed for NFL failure. He entered the league with an attitude, mindset and supporting cast totally unprepared to survive the pressure, challenge and responsibility that goes along with the most prestigious and difficult job in all of sports.

When I explained all of this in 2006, my naive and misguided critics called me an Uncle Tom. Yeah, they ripped me for attempting to issue a young black kid a warning about what awaited him in The League and the attitude he would need to cope and excel.

Some people foolishly think it's every black media member's job to assist in the mental and emotional crippling of black youth. We're supposed to blow rainbows up the asses of every black athlete who "makes it" and assure him/her that anyone who utters a word of criticism is a jealous bigot or irrational sellout.

So, no, I'm not surprised Vince Young tried to quit in the middle of Sunday's game after throwing a second interception and hearing boos from Titans fans frustrated by his inability to read a defense or throw accurately. I'm not all that shocked that two days later Jeff Fisher called the police and asked them to hunt down his inconsistent quarterback. I'm not surprised the Titans team psychologist is apparently worried that Vince Young is suffering depression.

And I'm really not surprised that Vince Young's mother told The Tennessean that her baby boy needs a little space and a lot of love and support.

The question is, when Young rebounds from his emotional abyss and recovers from his knee injury, what kind of love and support are we going to give him? Are the people who already love Young going to replant their heads in Young's rear end and their hands in his wallet? Or will a few people within Team Vince do the right thing and level with him about what he needs to do to make it in the NFL as a quarterback?

Vince Young, like a lot of young African-American men, desperately needs to hear the truth from the people who love him. Too often we pave the road to failure for black boys by believing the cure for bigotry — and there is still plenty of bigotry in America — is the ability to recognize it in (and blame it for) everything. That cure has more negative side effects than most of the drugs trumpeted by the pharmaceutical companies in television commercials. That cure serves as a convenient crutch, and turns a talent such as Vince Young into a quitter the moment adversity strikes. That cure helped land Michael Vick in jail.

Everyone told Vince Young and Michael Vick the NFL would be easy. They'd revolutionize the QB position with their legs, and they could pop bottles, roll with a posse and pretend to be Jay-Z in their spare time.

It just doesn't work. Not for Young or Vick. Not for Matt Leinart. Not for anyone who wants to star at the position and avoid the boo-birds.

No one revolutionizes the starting quarterback position. The position revolutionizes the person playing it. Just ask Donovan McNabb. He figured it out and changed his game. Over the objection of idiots, McNabb developed his skills as a pocket passer. He concentrated on becoming a student of the game. If he can stay healthy over the next three or four years, McNabb will surpass Warren Moon as the best black quarterback ever to play the game.

Unfortunately, there are still people, especially black people, who don't appreciate McNabb. They think he let "us" down by de-emphasizing his athleticism, and they criticize him for being cozy with his organization the way Peyton Manning is with the Colts and Brady is with the Patriots.

McNabb doesn't get to enjoy the luxury of being a company man the way other franchise QBs in their prime do.

But McNabb has never threatened to quit or asked out of a game because the Philly fans were too rough. McNabb understands that in some instances the scrutiny of a black quarterback might be a tad more intense than that of a white one. He also understands that the best way to combat it isn't whining. It's performance. It's work ethic. It's professionalism.

It's not a coincidence that McNabb comes from a supportive, two-parent household.

I bring that up not to castigate Vince Young and his mother. I don't even know the story of Young's upbringing.

I raise the issue to point out that in modern professional sports — with the astronomical players' salaries — ownership and management examine the upbringing of the athletes and factor that into their decision-making.

Vick's failure, Young's potential failure and the guaranteed money they were given will make ownership more reluctant to anoint another kid from the 'hood a franchise quarterback straight out of college.

It's not about color. It's about fitting the profile of someone who can handle all that goes along with being an NFL quarterback. If I'm an owner, I spend my quarterback dollars on young men who were raised by strong fathers. It wouldn't be an infallible system, but on average I bet I'd hit more winners than if I turned over the leadership of my team to a kid who isn't used to having a strong male authority figure.

As black people, we need to ask ourselves whether we are doing a good job preparing our boys for positions of immense leadership, responsibility and scrutiny.

You are going to get criticized playing quarterback. If your instinct is to dismiss the criticism as racist, maybe you shouldn't play the position. If you are surrounded by people who spend every waking minute telling you that you can do no wrong and that everyone who criticizes you is a bigot, then maybe you shouldn't play quarterback.

The position requires thick skin and genuine self-confidence. If you need four or five male groupies with you at all times, a half million dollars of jewelry around your neck and wrists and a dozen tattoos to feel confident, then maybe you should play wide receiver or start rapping.

The average NFL fan has no idea how much time a franchise spends working on self-esteem issues with a typical player. You think these guys are self-assured. Many of them are not. They self-medicate with booze, drugs, steroids, bling, women and attention-getting stunts such as name changes.

Remember when Terrell Owens' assistant claimed he had 25 million reasons to live? It was an accidental moment of clarity and honesty. Too many players have their whole sense of self-worth tied up in their contracts.

It doesn't take much to crack a man with no real identity, especially if he's grown accustomed to having all of his shortcomings rationalized.

Micjones · 09-12-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

Anyone that doesn't sing the party line is an Uncle Tom I guess.
So, what you're saying by calling him an Uncle Tom is that he has a right to his opinion as long as it goes along group think and group speak.
Very open minded.
Freedom of expression! (as long as you express what we want you to)

*Waving to the strawman*

Whitlock absolutely has the right to spew his poorly thought out misguided rants.
I have no interest in taking that away from him. But certainly I have a right to rebut...

And what exactly is the party line?

Deberg_1990 · 09-12-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

That's a different discussion entirely.

I'm actually referring to Whitlock's constant assaults on Black America.
His indictment of our communities.

Alll JWhit is trying to say is that its time for the black communities to take a personal responsibility for their actions instead of blaming everyone else.

Hes not saying its the only problem, but they need to start living up to their end of the bargain too.

Whats so wrong about that?

I will agree that JWhit makes these grand sweeping generalizations at times just to get a reaction or make a point. Nobody knows what Young is going through right now...Whitlock is guessing like the rest of us....

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-12-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

Forgive me, I'm not following your last point. Are you saying society in general is to blame for Vince being unhappy?
I'm not arguing with you here, I'm trying to understand your view given you are in a position to see the issue that I am not.

It's society's fault for giving Vince a free, $100,000 education, yet he still has the intelligence of an 11 year old. Actually, that may not be fair to 11 year olds. I'd bet my nephew could score higher than 6 on the Wonderlic.

It's society's fault for giving him $58M to play football, when he plays a position that DEMANDS intelligence.

It's society's fault for him not being prepared for the trials and tribulations of a young NFL "star".

Society has set Vince Young up to fail...

blaise · 09-12-2008, 11:23 AM

You do have the right to rebut but labelling someone as an Uncle Tom is a poor way of dismissing someone's argument. It's basically labelling someone and categorizing them and discounting their argument.
You have no idea what Whitlock's motives are anymore than he knows what's really going on in Vince Young's life.
And the party line is basically the race baiting politics that's been going on year after year.

blaise · 09-12-2008, 11:24 AM

It's ok, just call me a strawman and everything's all better.

vailpass · 09-12-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

That's a different discussion entirely. One I don't want to get completely carried away with...
I do think there's a societal element to the problem that needs to be addressed. Not only with athletes, but with celebrities of any kind. White, Black or Hazel.

I'm actually referring to Whitlock's constant assaults on Black America.
His indictment of our communities.

Okay, thanks for the clarification.
Is there any part of Whitlock's view that you see as wanting to help the black community better itself by forcing it to reject exscuses and instead focus on actions?
Is it possible that he is saying his community is too good, to able, to sound of mind and body to accept the premise that anyone controls them but themselves? That to say otherwise is an insult?

Micjones · 09-12-2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Alll JWhit is trying to say is that its time for the black communities to take a personal responsibility for their actions instead of blaming everyone else.

Another monolithic characterization of Black America. Color me surprised.
Whitlock's pulling the proverbial wool over the eyes of White America.
Personal responsibility has been an ongoing discussion in our communities for more than 100 years.

Again, I have no bones to pick with such an indictment of a portion of Black America that does need to avail itself of self-destructive behaviors. I have a problem with the fact that he removes the social responsibility piece from the discussion entirely. THAT, sir, is why he's faced such harsh criticism from Black America. He isn't being honest.

And in truth... He doesn't even espouse the core values he pretends are so near and dear to his heart.

Micjones · 09-12-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

You do have the right to rebut but labelling someone as an Uncle Tom is a poor way of dismissing someone's argument. It's basically labelling someone and categorizing them and discounting their argument.

Sir I never used the word "Uncle Tom". At least not in this particular Whitlock discussion. I merely said he's tapdancing to the beat of some of White America's drum. That, sir, is truth. And I have a daylong argument to substantiate that claim. I've given it time and again on ChiefsPlanet.

Quote:

And the party line is basically the race baiting politics that's been going on year after year.

Race baiting politics?

Micjones · 09-12-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

Okay, thanks for the clarification.
Is there any part of Whitlock's view that you see as wanting to help the black community better itself by forcing it to reject exscuses and instead focus on actions?

If Whitlock has an honest and genuine interest in inspiring change in Black America it isn't apparent in his actions. Or in his journalistic endeavors.

The first step would be to speak truthfully about the issues and stop having a one-sided conversation. When he challenges social injustice, racism, and pre-existing inequities in America that haven't been addressed then I'll take him seriously. Until such time...

Deberg_1990 · 09-12-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

I merely said he's tapdancing to the beat of some of White America's drum. That, sir, is truth. And I have a daylong argument to substantiate that claim.

So why do you think he acts this way? What does he have to gain? Is he trying to keep his face in the news? Is there more $$$$ to be made?

Or do you think he really does believe what he writes and hes just misinformed?

blaise · 09-12-2008, 11:39 AM

Ok, you never said Uncle Tom, you're right. My bad, just that he's tap dancing for the White Man.
So what you're still saying though is any African American that says things you don't like politically or socially is tap dancing for the White Man.
So, argue the merits of what he's saying. I don't see why it's acceptable to dismiss someone's arguments as Uncle Tom-ism (oh wait, I mean tap dancing for the white man).
With all due respect it's intellectually lazy.

triple · 09-12-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

Okay, thanks for the clarification.
Is there any part of Whitlock's view that you see as wanting to help the black community better itself by forcing it to reject exscuses and instead focus on actions?

For a long time black america has been told by their leaders and certain members of the political establishment that they simply cannot succeed on their own. America is much too racist for them to be able to make it without help from the government. You're helpless.

So all you gotta do is vote for these guys, and all your problems will go away...

Funny how it's the same problems as 30 years ago.

Micjones · 09-12-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

So why do you think he acts this way? What does he have to gain? Is he trying to keep his face in the news? Is there more $$$$ to be made?

The sports world was once Whitlock's oyster. A few bad decisions cost him dearly. Being exiled from the Worldwide Leader in Sports is quite a blow to the career of a sports journalist who had the kind of visibility Whitlock had.

There is absolutely money to be made from Whitlock's myopic views of Black America. There's quite a bit to be gained from taking such a stance. And he knows it...

Micjones · 09-12-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

So what you're still saying though is any African American that says things you don't like politically or socially is tap dancing for the White Man.

Another strawman argument.
The issue here is the fact that he isn't having an honest conversation about the problem. He's pandering. Because an assault on the failings of White America doesn't play well on a national scale. We've been over this.

I've already argued the merits of his argument.
Again... That's difficult to do when such a significant portion of the discussion is missing from his rants.

Address the entire problem and we can have a dispassionate talk about the problems in (Black) America.

blaise · 09-12-2008, 11:47 AM

Whitlock could do Stephen A Smith's act in his sleep. And there would be planty of papers willing to pay him to do it, and he wouldn't need to be worried about being accused of tap dancing.
He'd probably get an NAACP Image Award.
And for the record I'm not saying I agree with him. I don't know Vince Young and I don't know what's going on in his life. Personally I wouldn't take shots at him like that without knowing more facts.
I'm just taking issue that you're dismissing arguments you don't like as dancing for the white man.

09-11-2008, 05:17 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $294454	Whitlock: Sad to say, but Vince Young's problems were predictable Imagine that, another lecture on race.... Good read as always JWhit. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8...re-predictable I'm going to do my best to avoid turning this into an I-told-you-so column. But the truth is, I told you before the 2006 draft that Vince Young was primed for NFL failure. He entered the league with an attitude, mindset and supporting cast totally unprepared to survive the pressure, challenge and responsibility that goes along with the most prestigious and difficult job in all of sports. When I explained all of this in 2006, my naive and misguided critics called me an Uncle Tom. Yeah, they ripped me for attempting to issue a young black kid a warning about what awaited him in The League and the attitude he would need to cope and excel. Some people foolishly think it's every black media member's job to assist in the mental and emotional crippling of black youth. We're supposed to blow rainbows up the asses of every black athlete who "makes it" and assure him/her that anyone who utters a word of criticism is a jealous bigot or irrational sellout. So, no, I'm not surprised Vince Young tried to quit in the middle of Sunday's game after throwing a second interception and hearing boos from Titans fans frustrated by his inability to read a defense or throw accurately. I'm not all that shocked that two days later Jeff Fisher called the police and asked them to hunt down his inconsistent quarterback. I'm not surprised the Titans team psychologist is apparently worried that Vince Young is suffering depression. And I'm really not surprised that Vince Young's mother told The Tennessean that her baby boy needs a little space and a lot of love and support. The question is, when Young rebounds from his emotional abyss and recovers from his knee injury, what kind of love and support are we going to give him? Are the people who already love Young going to replant their heads in Young's rear end and their hands in his wallet? Or will a few people within Team Vince do the right thing and level with him about what he needs to do to make it in the NFL as a quarterback? Vince Young, like a lot of young African-American men, desperately needs to hear the truth from the people who love him. Too often we pave the road to failure for black boys by believing the cure for bigotry — and there is still plenty of bigotry in America — is the ability to recognize it in (and blame it for) everything. That cure has more negative side effects than most of the drugs trumpeted by the pharmaceutical companies in television commercials. That cure serves as a convenient crutch, and turns a talent such as Vince Young into a quitter the moment adversity strikes. That cure helped land Michael Vick in jail. Everyone told Vince Young and Michael Vick the NFL would be easy. They'd revolutionize the QB position with their legs, and they could pop bottles, roll with a posse and pretend to be Jay-Z in their spare time. It just doesn't work. Not for Young or Vick. Not for Matt Leinart. Not for anyone who wants to star at the position and avoid the boo-birds. No one revolutionizes the starting quarterback position. The position revolutionizes the person playing it. Just ask Donovan McNabb. He figured it out and changed his game. Over the objection of idiots, McNabb developed his skills as a pocket passer. He concentrated on becoming a student of the game. If he can stay healthy over the next three or four years, McNabb will surpass Warren Moon as the best black quarterback ever to play the game. Unfortunately, there are still people, especially black people, who don't appreciate McNabb. They think he let "us" down by de-emphasizing his athleticism, and they criticize him for being cozy with his organization the way Peyton Manning is with the Colts and Brady is with the Patriots. McNabb doesn't get to enjoy the luxury of being a company man the way other franchise QBs in their prime do. But McNabb has never threatened to quit or asked out of a game because the Philly fans were too rough. McNabb understands that in some instances the scrutiny of a black quarterback might be a tad more intense than that of a white one. He also understands that the best way to combat it isn't whining. It's performance. It's work ethic. It's professionalism. It's not a coincidence that McNabb comes from a supportive, two-parent household. I bring that up not to castigate Vince Young and his mother. I don't even know the story of Young's upbringing. I raise the issue to point out that in modern professional sports — with the astronomical players' salaries — ownership and management examine the upbringing of the athletes and factor that into their decision-making. Vick's failure, Young's potential failure and the guaranteed money they were given will make ownership more reluctant to anoint another kid from the 'hood a franchise quarterback straight out of college. It's not about color. It's about fitting the profile of someone who can handle all that goes along with being an NFL quarterback. If I'm an owner, I spend my quarterback dollars on young men who were raised by strong fathers. It wouldn't be an infallible system, but on average I bet I'd hit more winners than if I turned over the leadership of my team to a kid who isn't used to having a strong male authority figure. As black people, we need to ask ourselves whether we are doing a good job preparing our boys for positions of immense leadership, responsibility and scrutiny. You are going to get criticized playing quarterback. If your instinct is to dismiss the criticism as racist, maybe you shouldn't play the position. If you are surrounded by people who spend every waking minute telling you that you can do no wrong and that everyone who criticizes you is a bigot, then maybe you shouldn't play quarterback. The position requires thick skin and genuine self-confidence. If you need four or five male groupies with you at all times, a half million dollars of jewelry around your neck and wrists and a dozen tattoos to feel confident, then maybe you should play wide receiver or start rapping. The average NFL fan has no idea how much time a franchise spends working on self-esteem issues with a typical player. You think these guys are self-assured. Many of them are not. They self-medicate with booze, drugs, steroids, bling, women and attention-getting stunts such as name changes. Remember when Terrell Owens' assistant claimed he had 25 million reasons to live? It was an accidental moment of clarity and honesty. Too many players have their whole sense of self-worth tied up in their contracts. It doesn't take much to crack a man with no real identity, especially if he's grown accustomed to having all of his shortcomings rationalized.
Posts: 68,441

09-12-2008, 11:23 AM	#49
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9989900	You do have the right to rebut but labelling someone as an Uncle Tom is a poor way of dismissing someone's argument. It's basically labelling someone and categorizing them and discounting their argument. You have no idea what Whitlock's motives are anymore than he knows what's really going on in Vince Young's life. And the party line is basically the race baiting politics that's been going on year after year.
Posts: 22,189

09-12-2008, 11:24 AM	#50
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9989900	It's ok, just call me a strawman and everything's all better.
Posts: 22,189

09-12-2008, 11:39 AM	#56
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9989900	Ok, you never said Uncle Tom, you're right. My bad, just that he's tap dancing for the White Man. So what you're still saying though is any African American that says things you don't like politically or socially is tap dancing for the White Man. So, argue the merits of what he's saying. I don't see why it's acceptable to dismiss someone's arguments as Uncle Tom-ism (oh wait, I mean tap dancing for the white man). With all due respect it's intellectually lazy.
Posts: 22,189

09-12-2008, 11:47 AM	#60
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9989900	Whitlock could do Stephen A Smith's act in his sleep. And there would be planty of papers willing to pay him to do it, and he wouldn't need to be worried about being accused of tap dancing. He'd probably get an NAACP Image Award. And for the record I'm not saying I agree with him. I don't know Vince Young and I don't know what's going on in his life. Personally I wouldn't take shots at him like that without knowing more facts. I'm just taking issue that you're dismissing arguments you don't like as dancing for the white man.
Posts: 22,189