VegasButcher said:
Do you guys really think he wrote that?
I'm sure he had help. It's not like LeBron "wrote" his 'going to Cleveland' statement either.
The point is not who wrote it, but who the words/thoughts came from and how they were presented. I think it's one of the best things I've ever read and an awesome way to give a big "**** You" to all these talking-heads who think they know it all.
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I actually feel that when you come out with such conviction, in a case like this, it's very important that you are the one speaking...in my opinion the message is much stronger when it's authentic.
I'm sorry man, I just can't feel for him....I'm not saying that I "grew up in the ghettos of Houston" ...but (like most of us) my upbringing wasn't pretty either, so his pity party is short lived. I can't sympathize with someone that at the age of 23 is throwing away such talent and opportunity. Look, no one is perfect, and we all grow and learn....trust me I made my share of mistakes in my teens, early 20's, but I can't possibly fathom that if I had his kind of talent, I would throw away generational changing money...I just couldn't...we're talking about setting up your family for GENERATIONS. That is an opportunity that comes once in 10 million people, MINIMUM. There is no "big" picture with this man...and that's what he is, a man...not a kid by any stretch.
Once is a mistake, twice maybe...but 3, 4, and more incidents....it's a pattern....and it's a problem...and until he admits that and gets the help he needs, nothing is going to change and this opportunity that most of us dream about is wasted. Pointing fingers at critics, justified or not, isn't the answer. Furthermore, public criticism (or praise) comes with the territory of being a professional athlete...anyone who is in the public spotlight has to understand that every aspect of your life is under the microscope....not that I agree (personally could care less about most in the spotlight) but it's just the nature of the beast.
"I failed myself when started using marijuana regularly as a young teenager. I failed myself when I ruined a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be Robert Griffin III’s running mate during his Heisman Trophy-winning season at Baylor. I failed myself when I didn’t check with the league office to ensure that my doctor-prescribed, codeine-based medicine was allowed under NFL guidelines. I failed myself when I was arrested for driving a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit. I failed myself when I missed a team walk through late in the season and was suspended for the final game of the year."
Me-me-me-me....how about you failed all those around you, who loved you, who care about you, who counted and depended on you? It the most selfish, classic case of denial that someone outside the medical profession could possibly see...absolutely ridiculous. The rest of this crap is nothing but excuses on how the entire world is against him....put it this way: When someone gets busted doing something wrong, the first thing that happens is that they try to talk their way out of any wrong doing...."this happens, then I was here, then this happened, blah blah" ....but it's all just noise, all these paragraphs trying to explain his F-up's away....dude, you jacked it up....accept some responsibility, humble yourself, admit your were wrong and fix it....simple. The longer to try and avoid any responsibility, the longer your recovery is going to take.
Look, I actually have no sympathy for the guy when at 23 years of age, I was leading troops in combat as an infantry team leader for a paycheck that was barely above the poverty line...so when I hear a story like this....it just makes me sad....he wants to point the finger at everyone but himself. He clearly doesn't see the "bigger" picture of what his story represents. Whether he likes it or not, he is an inspiration to younger generations....not because parents are failing to be parents...but because that's just what kids want to look up to....it's just human nature. So he needs to get help, and I hope he does...Cris Carter? Really? This guy is an ambassador to professional athletes...the kind of guy that when he speaks, (as a young athlete) you should listen, the dude's been there.
Whenever you come into a new organization (like the NFL for football players) the first thing you need to do in order to be successful, is align yourself with others within the organization that are going to help you do your job. Surround yourself with successful people, and you will find success. Classic leadership dialogue.
....people can try and get all "deep" with it, like Bomani Jones, who blocked me on twitter BTW for calling Gordon an idiot...but the facts are the facts....he blew his opportunity at MILLIONS of dollars because he can't stop smoking pot or drinking alcohol. I can't look past the facts.....whether it was a HUGE conspiracy or not, he put himself in the position and I just can't feel for him man....I really can't.
Anyways, just my opinion....