Let’s be honest, the NFL is a game built around toughness. Whether it’s fair or not isn’t in question, it’s the reality of the game we all love to watch and participate in via our fantasy leagues. Players are expected to play through pain. Iron men like Brett Favre spend years taking heavy pain medication to gut out games, and when he comes clean about it, we salute him for his courage and toughness. Peyton Manning has knee surgery and less than two months later is back leading his team. Shawne Merriman disregarded the medical opinions of some of the country’s best doctors in order to suit up for San Diego last week; and it only helped to increase fandom’s opinion of him.
But what about mental pain? Are we as quick to applaud players when they’re dealing with psychological issues? The world saluted Terrell Owens for playing in the Super Bowl after suffering a bone break; but were they as supportive of him when news came out about a potential depression that resulted in an accidental overdose? Were Philadelphia Eagles fans praising Shawn Andrews to “get healthy” when he missed training camp with clinical depression? Not so much.
Now we have the Vince Young situation to deal with. By now you’ve read the reports. Vince Young was distraught during the Week One game against the Jaguars (a game the Titans won by the way), and that night Titans officials involved the police in a search for Young after they couldn’t reach him via cellphone.
Rumors have swirled over the last 48 hours about his mental state, his passion for the game, and his future with the Titans.
According to several reports, including ESPN:
Young was the subject of a four-hour search Monday night by Nashville police, who were called by Titans coach Jeff Fisher after Young’s family members expressed concern about Young’s “emotional well-being,” according to police.
Major Adams, Young’s agent, went on the defensive and denied any depression-related issues:
Vince Young’s agent, Major Adams, told ESPN reporter George Smith that he didn’t know why the story has taken on a life of its own.
Adams said he called Young’s friend’s house after hearing that Young was missing. Adams said the quarterback was upbeat and watching the Monday night games, and confirmed that Young was without his cell phone.
As for reports about depression or Young’s fragile emotional state, Adams told Smith they’re “unfounded.”
“It’s the first time I’ve heard that. I know he’s not battling depression,” Adams said. “He’s fine mentally. I think it’s a misunderstanding and misinformation.”
Which brings us to Vince Young’s mother…
Felicia Young and her son are close; that’s a well established fact. Like many athletes, Young has gone out of his way to credit his mother’s influence on his life. It’s only natural that a loving mother would have strong opinions about the well-being of her child. But should she air those concerns in the media?
From the Tennessean newspaper:
- “Vince has gone through a whole lot as a young person,” Felicia Young said. “And I think he has done pretty well up to this point. But it is hard, all he is going through right now. He’s hurting inside and out.”
- “What would you think, if you were tired of being ridiculed and persecuted and talked about and not being treated very well, what would you do? What kind of decision would you make?” Felicia Young said. “He may not want to deal with it (all), but you have to get to that point before you make that decision first.”
Shouldn’t Felicia understand that acknowledging his emotional state actually serves as a disservice to her son? Again, I’m NOT saying it should be that way, but at what point do you have to accept the reality of your given situation? In the NFL, you can get arrested and not lose your job; whereas I would be given my walking papers most likely. That’s MY given situation. On the flip side, if I had some kind of physical or mental illness, I’m betting my employers would be pretty understanding as I dealt through the process. In the NFL, where you have to be TOUGH (whatever that means), it’s sadly difficult if not impossible to brush off reports of depression or lack of passion easily.
So what do you think? Are you concerned about Vince Young’s football future? Do you think this situation should’ve been treated differently by the Titans, his agent, his mother, his friends? Let’s hear your thoughts.
…Deion Branch
