As a person who is roughly the same age as Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young, I can't even imagine what it would be like to step out onto a football field in front of 70,000 screaming, psychotic fans -- and millions more in front of their TV's -- on an NFL Sunday and attempt to play football. Or do anything, for that matter. Honestly, I'd probably wet myself and fall into the fetal position before I even lined up for the first snap.
As Wyatt reports, a psychologist met with Young at his home on Monday afternoon, before he went missing later in the night, sparking a search from Nashville police.
The Titans had concerns about Young even before late Monday night.What makes the entire situation bizarre, is the fact that after the initial reports surfaced that Young went missing and the Titans were concerned, everything was eventually brushed off as a misunderstanding and everything was back to normal. Now, it seems that not only is Young's future with the Titans uncertain, his future as an NFL quarterback may be uncertain.
After Young balked at having the MRI on Monday, Fisher went out and talked to him at his Brentwood home, spending over an hour with him. The Titans also sent a psychologist, Dr. Sheila Peters, and Tina Tuggle, the team's Director of Player Development, to meet with Young to try and encourage him.
The psychologist said Young was extremely depressed and expressed concerns to the team about Young's safety. Later, Young left the house and sped off in his Mercedes Benz without his cell phone. He couldn't be found for some time, which prompted a phone call to Fisher.
Even when Young returns from his injury, he might not get his job back.Incredible. And this isn't the first time there have been whispers of Young possibly giving up football. I cringe at the thought of what this guy's psyche would be like if he were playing in a different market. No disrespect to Nashville, Tennessee, but it never really struck me as one of the leagues more intense markets in terms of media and fan scrutiny. I'm sure the media can be tough, and obviously he's been booed, but that happens in every pro city, with every pro team, with just about every player.
The Titans believe Young's injury is one that will keep him out anywhere from 2-4 weeks.
Then there's the question about whether Young is interested in returning, something he mentioned to those who were with him on Monday.
"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?'' Felecia Young asked. "He may not want to deal with it (all), but you have to get to that point before you make that decision first.
It seems to me -- and I could be wrong on this -- that the Titans play second fiddle to Tennessee Volunteers football. If he's struggling to cope with the pressure and boos there, what would he be going through in a city like New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or Washington where the football teams are not just another team in the city, but the team?
Whatever is going on in Young's head right now, it seems that it's much bigger than football.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-10-2008 @ 9:12AM
Brody said...
This is what they get for drafting a mental midget. The QB position depends more on maturity and intelligence than any other position on the field. Why they keep drafting QBs based purely on athletic ability, I'll never understand. Tavaris Jackson, Michael Vick, Vince Young, etc.
These running QB's will never be on the same level as your skilled pocket passers. Mobility should be an asset, not the focus, of your quarterback. Look at the two best QB's in this league - Brady and Manning. How much running do either of them do?
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9-10-2008 @ 3:02PM
dominick said...
U must be 4rm sou cal to be talkin like that seems to me if he was a mental midget he wouldnt have made through collage and this far into the nfl.
9-10-2008 @ 10:24AM
Linda said...
WHO CARES !!!!! If he doesn't want to get help, then let him leave. I am sure there are so many other guys standing in line that would give anything to play the game !!....
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10-06-2008 @ 12:08AM
korey said...
your just saying that cause u probably don't like the titans and you're scared?!
9-10-2008 @ 2:04PM
Chad said...
How many more teams are in Nashville? The Volunteers home is Knoxville, half a state away.
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9-10-2008 @ 2:40PM
Sarah said...
You are all being a little too hard on Vince Young....when you are perfect, only then should you be able to post your negative remarks. Everyone is human, even football players, give him a break and let him come to terms with whatever he is going through....If you are a proud supporter of his team, you should be a proud supporter of him, no matter what he is going through. Vince, when you get through whatever it is you are going through, you will be a stronger man and a better football player and quarterback....hang in there and forget about the boos....we all get bood in life from time to time. That's just life.
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9-11-2008 @ 11:04PM
LeBrando said...
Ok,
Let me make sure I have the facts: In Vince Young's first year he rallied the Titans to 6 wins in the last 7 games. Last year, the Titans went to the playoffs, despite not being a very good football team. Last week was the first game of the season and he was booed by his own fans. WOW!
Vince, keep your head up! This garbage that I read and saw on the news is ridiculous. One of the best football games that I saw was the national championship game with Texas and USC. USC was a far superior, but you would not let the Longhorns lose. You are a champion young man!
Every great quarterback learned from a veteran QB. Brett Favre sat, Steve Young sat, Tom Brady sat until they learned the system. Unfortunately, you have to learn the hard way...by playing and making mistakes on the field. If you want to be great watch film of Brett Favre. I seen Brett throw 4 INT and kept on throwing.
Peace young man!
Your big brother who's looking out!
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9-10-2008 @ 9:31PM
April said...
This isn't about the TItans, it's about a life. Yes, Vince Young signed a multi-million dollar contract, yes, many others at his age and experience have managed to cope with the pressures of NFL football, but maybe at this time in his life Vince Young can't. I hope Vince and his family make the best decision for him, not the fans, not the money, not the Titans. Vince, out thoughts and prayers are with you. Make the best decision for you.
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9-10-2008 @ 11:40PM
Sean said...
Earl Christian Campbell, one of the great running backs in NFL history had anxiety so bad that he wouldn't take his helmet off during games. Ricky Williams has the same issue saying that he likes football but not being a football player.
Brody, I would love to come to your job with 10 of my friends and heckle your every mistake and send emails to your boss that you should be fired. I'd like to see you on the street or in a restaurant or at the stop light and tell you that you suck.
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9-11-2008 @ 9:32AM
Brody said...
Sean: Pay me $50 million over the next few years like Young and you're welcome to come heckle all you want.
I'm tired of that bullsh*t excuse. Young is a paid professional athlete. It's part of the profession. It's like an actor complaining about being shy in front of a camera. TOUGH CRAP! Why did you pick that profession then?
I feel zero sympathy for Young. He's an idiot. If you can't hack it, get out. We don't need your pity party.
9-11-2008 @ 9:32AM
Gross_Misconduct said...
Is it just me or is the NFL becoming worse than a soap opera?
You always have guys getting busted for drugs or guns. lately we've been seeing some murders. You always hear about someone beating their baby's mom, getting into a fight at a strip club or doing something illegal to go to jail like having dog fights or raping women on a boat....
This is getting ridiculous. Now even the fans are becoming part of what they hate about football.....
This game is turning into the NBA.
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9-11-2008 @ 9:51AM
h said...
Depression is something that can be seroius.people should do research and see what it is and then they can talk.All the people here that are talking about Vince are stupid.Most of you talk about how much he gets paid and thats all you see...not a HIMAN BEING LIKE YOU!!.If u where to be asked to do ANYTHINg infront of thousands of people hoping u do it rite and ready to treat you like garbage if you dont,you would all break under the pressure.And he has to to it as a career.So he has to see it on tv.the web,the papers,fans when he goes out let him know.He sees it 24/7.Its not easy.Im not saying that we should feel sad for him.But atleast understand that its difficult and can ware on u after a while.The constant scrutiny can really mess u up.HE IS JUST A GUY BUT FANS SEEM TO HOLD HIM TO SUCH A HIGH STANDARD,BUT WHEN HE SHOWS HE"S HUMAN WE ATTACK HIm .NO FAIR
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9-11-2008 @ 10:28AM
Jim said...
Dominik said: "U must be 4rm sou cal to be talkin like that seems to me if he was a mental midget he wouldnt have made through collage and this far into the nfl."
The truth is there are a lot of mental midgets that get through the process and into the NFL though they usually don't last long. When you play for a University like Texas that is notorious for being soft and caudling their players it is no wonder. One needs to look no further than Ricky Williams and notice how Mack Brown sheltered Chris Simms from fan and media criticism. If Mack would let his players fly on their own more of them might actually have a pair when they entered the NFL.
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9-11-2008 @ 12:01PM
David said...
Hey Vince,
If by chance you happen to see this, just remember that you made it into the NFL, man! That is in itself AMAZING. Your abilities have to be extreme to make it to this level. Your still "Young" to the game. You WILL get better. It's only a matter of time. Keep the FAITH, my brother. Trust in God to lead you into a BLESSED and AWESOME future. Some people are just CHAMPIONS. It's just a part of their DNA. You have a CHAMPION spirit. But, this is also making it very difficult for you now, because you want to be the best and put your team on your back. Take it one step at a time. FOCUS ON DOING WHAT YOU DO WELL, and work on the rest. It will come. God Bless You, my Friend!
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10-05-2008 @ 5:05PM
Ramhorn-young said...
Vince hold your head up high. You are still an awesome player. Let God be your guide as he has been all your young life. I remember you asking for advise before you started your NFL career. I recall your family praying about it and you talking to your pastor. If this was the wrong chice for you I feel you would have known it from the start. You took this team to places they have not been in a short time. So stay strong and remember God does not make mistakes. Tennesse maybe a hard place for a brother to start however I know the same God you know and he does not make mistake. So stay strong and keep looking up.
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