Donald Miller Hearts Vince Young
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Posted on
Thu Sep 11th, 2008 - 08:42 am
Over at his blog, Blue Like Jazz author Donald Miller writes an open letter to Vince Young. A snippet:
“But lets say you don’t. I mean lets say you quit the game and go on with your life. I don’t actually think that is such a bad move. If the game isn’t fun anymore, than[sic] who cares? It’s not like football is saving people’s lives, is it? And besides, you’ve already got stories to tell your kids and grandkids that will assure them they come from a remarkable lineage of talent and character. You won’t have to prove anything to them. And you have nothing more to prove to us. I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.”
Hook Him, Don!
didn’t read the whole letter, but that would be an extremely selfish and immature move for anyone to make. the man had made a commitment, been handsomely compensated for that commitment, and shouldn’t quit because it isn’t fun.
September 11th, 2008 at 9:45 amI read the whole letter and I really like a lot of what DM said. However, as a coach who works with inner-city/urban kids I don’t agree with DM’s statement that “football isn’t saving any kid’s lives.”
For many kids who come up in extremely difficult circumstances, neighborhoods and communities, after school/extra curricular athletics do end up “saving” them. Certainly not in the salvific sense that Christ saves, but in many ways they do “save” kids.
Many judges, parole officers will tell you that the hours that most kids get into trouble are the hours right after school lets out. Many kids in sports, clubs, etc are “off the streets” doing something positive and active with those hours. They are also learning valuable lessons about hard work, commitment, teamwork, sacrifice, discipline, etc. (For sure sports also teach some undesirable lessons at times too) And for those of us who coach with a view of using it for discipleship, these kids get a glimpse of what a Christ follower can look like in competition while also hearing God’s Word in team meatings.
Furthermore, outside of my father growing up, my coaches were the men who had the greatest impact on me. For many of my students, I am the closest thing to a father in their lives.
So, yes I believe that football and other sports are saving kids’ lives and sometimes can be used of God to lead to encounters with Christ that lead to eternal life.
(That one came out a lot longer than I intended!)
September 11th, 2008 at 11:38 amI agree, as weird as it sounds, that football can save lives. Anything that asks of you to give something up, has that potential.
September 12th, 2008 at 9:47 amI also feel like he has every right to quit because he doesn’t enjoy the game anymore. I’d quit my job if i hated it. So of course he has the right to quit. (plus i don’t like the titans, and made a bet with a friend VY would be done in 4 years)
are there other jobs that you’d tell someone not to quit if it wasn’t fun?
September 12th, 2008 at 10:37 amI’d like my local fire fighters and police officers not to quit when things aren’t fun.
Also, the guy who operates the Mexican food Van that pulls up daily next to our local food market. He needs to stick around even when the fun ends.
September 13th, 2008 at 10:10 am