“…Personal Vicktory.”

…7-11 for 26 yards passing/35 yards rushing with 1 TD, 2 fumbles (1 lost), and an interception in most cases wouldn’t be considered a successful QB debut… Though, it is (after all) the Pre-Season and much isn’t really expected…  “OK, so if the bar is lowered due to the game’s lack of significance, these still are unimpressive stats…”  But considering that just a few months ago, Michael Vick was figuratively locked in cell of personal resentment, the 27-38 loss to the Jets Thursday night would serve as a personal victory for Michael.

What a difference a matter of weeks make! From 18 months hard time, to a halfway house, $10 an hour on a construction site… to being notified that he will officially be reinstated in a matter of weeks.  “There were times where in losing we win!”  As little leaguers, we’re are often reassured that in defeat there is something positive which can be garnered from the experience… this is one of those moments, maturated by the experience of a 2 year jail sentence, bankruptcy, & a second chance.

Congratulations, not simply to Michael but to (as Tony Dungy articulated it) “The Christian value of Forgiveness.”  Michael has been granted a unique opportunity.  25 years from now, his can be the story used to demonstrate the human capability to redeem oneself.  It won’t be easy, may even be impossible… but the opportunity to reserve his space in the dictionary beneath “redemption” absolutely will be worth the struggle.  Good luck//

T.J. Breeden
www.iblmedia.com

“Rookie Hold’em: smart negotiations or greedy bluffs?”

Imagine receiving a offer-sheet in the mail… employment consideration with earning potential at a tax bracket higher than 85% of the country’s population; and a first year’s salary greater than the combined incomes of your entire family!  I’m talking major figures, the kind of money that pays cash for new high-rise property, and still has enough to furnish the entire real estate project.  Imagine that for a second… in today’s economic downturn where ordinary folks are losing jobs everyday and retirement funds expire like last week’s milk… that you were given an opportunity to step into your dream job with guaranteed financial security. 

You’re 21 years old.  Spent the last 3 years staring into school books & the bottom of cheap bottles of gin.  Don’t get me wrong, life hasn’t been easy; watched Dad drive off at an early age & mom worked 3 jobs to pay for your Big-10 education.  But none of that matters today, because you have a job offer sitting across from you that can erase the shame of having to wear hand-me-downs in Jr. High!  Ink pen in hand, mom’s smiling… “Did they spell my name right? CHECK!!”  Only thing left is to sign the contract, and you will be delivering 2 generations of your family from poverty.  

 ”Hold up… I thought we agreed on $45 Million?!  This looks like $43.5M… I need them to come up to Top-10 money or I aint signing!!!”

Look, I’ve been in the board room a few times, and believe in tough negotiations.  Every cent matters, and if it were an offer for $43,500 instead of the $45,000 that you’d hoped, I think I’d be more sympathetic considering fluctuations in gas prices.  But, when you were basically running back punt-returns the previous year FOR FREE, cradled a 2.1 GPA just so you would stay academically eligible for Saturdays, dropped out of college with a job offer while your fellow students prepare for their senior year… and offered a package to embrace a celebrity lifestyle for the rest of your life, “CRY ME A ______ RIVER!!”

It’s a joke to most reasonable people, that you would jeopardise your future on a few decimal points, especially when they can be accounted for in possible endorsement offers, returns from proper investment, bonuses, & future earnings if you come to training camp on time/do the right things.  When week-1 comes, and you haven’t made ANY strides with the organization or the local community, not only does it look bad for the business of “Self-Promotions,” but other teams, who could eventually pick up your contract years down the road, will always remember how you stuck it to your drafting squad over $1.5M (which is more like $650K after taxes & fees). 

And worse case scenario: if you injure yourself with a spoon while eating Fruit Loops & watching ESPN “First Take” one morning and can’t report to camp, you risk being dropped COMPLETELY… thus ending up as “the guy around the corner who had an offer to play in the NFL, but now teaches P.E. at Peavy Middle School.”

 

 T.J. Breeden
www.iblmedia.com

“Self Inflicted”

I’m not an attorney… and the closest I’ve come to ‘taking the Bar’ was buying a round of drinks…  Notwithstanding this, that doesn’t mean that I do not have a general understanding of our judicial system.  To date, NO ONE neither on television or radio, has been able to address how it is that a man with no priors can be sentenced to 2 years in prison on NY state gun charges.  Just to be clear, this isn’t an indictment on the judicial system, nor is it a ”Free Plaxico” post catered only to his supporters; BUT I can’t help but question the circumstances surrounding the severity of his sentencing.  Plaxico’s arrest isn’t being questioned, as it shouldn’t be.  The fact is that ‘the law is the law’; in most cases it is explained in clear language & is closed to interpretation.  However, I question the legal precedent through which this case was viewed.  Doug Stewart, of the “2 Live Stews” radio show, recently said on ESPN’s “First Take” (something to the effect) that only 4% of gun charges in New York City result in jail time.  I’ll admit, I haven’t done the necessary research to validate this statistic; but if there is any truth to this, that over 95% of folks who are brought in on gun charges in New York (and for clarity lets assume that all of which have no prior record of arrest), either receive no serious punishment other than a few years of probation, or a minor sentencing… then how is it that Plaxico could be sentenced to 2 years in federal prison under the same assumption?  (Plaxico’s interview on ESPN’s E-60)

…Listen, I was raised with a clear understanding that “If you do stupid things, be prepared to face the consequences!”  Carrying a loaded weapon (with no safety latch), in a crowded public venue, with a round in the chamber… and with no holster is STUPID!!  And as bad as it sounds, he’s lucky that he only shot himself, receiving a minor injury, as obviously this situation could have ended a lot worse.  But consider the following:  security at the night club knew that he had a weapon, and let him in with it ANYWAY!  Also, to my understanding no one at the club even knew that a round had been fired, with exception of Plaxico’s teammate whom he asked to take him to the emergency room.  Finally, the hospital didn’t report the incident as a crime; Plaxico was treated & sent home to sleep in his own bed.  Lastly, he injured himself, which, to my point, is part of “facing the music” to a stupid decision.

In no way am I suggesting that he shouldn’t be punished legally.  But for his case to be politicized by the Mayor and others made it impossible for him to receive a punishment lenient & balanced in terms of legal precident.  Instead, he was sentenced to the letter of the law: 3 year minimum sentencing!  Was he made an example of? ABSOLUTELY!!  Does he deserve to be punished?  ABSOLUTELY!!  Is 2 years in jail and excessive punishment for a man with a clean record?  ABSOLUTELY!! 

Is this an indictment on celebrity, athletes, and those who feel that they are above the law?  ______!!! 

T.J. Breeden
www.iblmedia.com