A Thin Line between Vince and In”Vinc”ible

Since this video was recorded Vince Young has regained his starting position as Quarterback of the Tennessee Titans and has led the team to a 5-1 record since relieving veteran Quarterback Kerry Collins. But this resurgence takes place amidst a mine field of contextual events that outline the life of Vince Young dating back to childhood. I’m not sure that a scripted characterization of a hard luck story in a movie would look much different than Young’s bio.  Fatherlessness, a drug addicted mother, antagonizing from neighborhood kids, booing fans and the murder of  mentor/surrogate Steve McNair by his mistress all make for a less than ideal launching pad. That’s the hand Young was dealt so now he’s playing.

The moving anecdotes that often accompany an athlete’s rise to stardom can quickly be forgotten because of the appeal of the “right now”. Right now Vince Young represents the Nashville community because he’s winning again.  But isn’t there a thin line between the  false perception of invincibility and destitution? It’s a thin line because of how Vince Young, for instance, so desperately needed and now lacks a trustworthy influence to combat his haunting past. It’s a thin line because a 26-year old professional isn’t pardoned the same way a 15-year old prep amateur is. And it’s certainly a thin line because the more successful he becomes, the harder it will be for him to receive meaningful insights regardless of the source.

Vince Young is in a Tiger Woods-like crisis minus Earl Woods influence, the distinguished fan base, a wife or a legendary career already behind him. Vince Young has come so close to the line that divides WHOLENESS and DYSFUNTION that it’s eerie. And I’m not certain he’s aware of the line or his proximity to it. But one thing that’s sure is that he’s not alone. Tons of kids grow up poor and gifted but if the supply of quality mentors runs thin in America, you can bet we’ll see more “Vince Youngs” in a uniform that looks far different than a Titans one. Let’s be bigger than the sports that consume us and develop the people who become athletes, even idols .