Yesterday in Nashville it was big news that our Titans QB, Vince Young, who had a rough game during the season opener against Jacksonville on Sunday, had gone missing for several hours and concerned friends and family had contacted the Titans organization, who in turn contacted the local police, to locate him due to concern about his "state of mind." Young suffered a knee injury in the 4th quarter, but before that was visibly inconsolable after throwing an interception, and reportedly had to be coaxed by Coach Jeff Fisher and Co. to even return to the game (the crowd booed when he through the interception).
Long story short for those of you hearing this for the first time, Vince was found, watching Monday Night Football with a friend, mental state intact. However, that is not the end of the story. Reports are coming out that Vince, in his 3rd year I believe as a pro, considered retiring last year, not sure that the expectations and the lifestyle of pro football were for him. His mother is interviewed in the Tennessean today calling her son "a young man that is hurting" and "needs prayers." A psychologist called on to talk to Young on Monday described him as "depressed." (SHOULDN'T THAT BE CONFIDENTIAL????)
It's hard to feel bad for a guy who, at 25, was a top draft pick out of college, makes millions a year, and should in theory "have it all." Sure, he had to follow in the footsteps of Steve McNair-a wildly popular AND super successful QB for the Titans. I heard an interview-can't remember where-that Vince questioned "whether the fans even want me here."
Part of me wants to tell him to suck it up, get OVER yourself, and realize that you play football, you did not make a mistake that people will die over. Get some perspective, buddy-you have a good life, you can ride this gravy train for a good long time.
But, having a degree in Psychology, another part of me is scared that we have another kid, thrust into fame, fortune, crushed under the weight of unrealistic expectations, that shuts down when the world becomes too much to deal with (Britney, anyone?). Because money won't make you happy, living your life under a microscope where people that don't know you are allowed to judge you in any way they see fit, and expecting yourself to live up to a legend who has several times the experience that you do would get to anyone.
So what happens to Vince? And my hometown team? Well, that pesky knee injury will keep him on the sidelines for 2-4 weeks. I say send him to a 30 day "rehab" type program. Whether he's a baby who just needs an attitude adjustment OR a young man showing signs of mental illness needing treatment, time away-and out of the spotlight-under the care of someone that can either way give him the skills to cope with disappointments in life and his career, has to be worth a shot (seems to be working for B-Spears). As for the Titans, Kerry Collins is in the hot seat indefinitely. And, we signed some other guy today as HIS backup-so it looks like the team is prepared to give Vince the time he needs to recover-physically and mentally-from the things that are troubling him.
Get well soon, Vince.
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/COLUMNIST0202/809100450&s=d&page=4#pluckcomments
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/SPORTS01/809100426
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