Vick & Williams

Talofa
Ted Williams, a name I'm confident you are aware of by now, along with Michael Vick, the disgraced NFL player involved in a brutal dog fighting ring several years back, breathed new life in a week littered with chaos. These brutal events include the shooting in Tucson, Arizona, a more recent shooting at a California school, the mindless pain inflicted on innocent lives by people bent on advancing evil. However, the hopeful story of Williams and Vick is a testament that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Ted went from being homeless to receiving countless offers from radio stations, NBA teams etc, coveting his 'golden' voice. And Michael Vick, who was recently released from prison, has become a role model for many with his play for Eagles this year--which by the way, has garnered MVP talk amongst sportswriters across the country. So what's the big deal? Well, both these guys did something that I thought was pretty awesome: they both recognized that when they were at fault, they admitted wrong instead of playing the blame game. When Ted was asked, he admitted that he had the 'golden voice' all along, but drugs and alcohol ruined a great deal of his life. Michael, recently criticized by some of his own peers for the ill-directed pass that was intercepted by a Green Bay player knocking the Eagles out of the playoffs, declared following the game that he 'got greedy' and forced the throw. The words of recorded by Luke come to mind: "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son" (Luke 10:21). The little 'fella' knew that he was at fault; in fact, he was adamant in his admission: "I have sinned"--never alluding to circumstances, or any other factors that might have contributed to his downfall. He simply carried the burden and said: I messed up, but I am willing to make it right again. And part of reviving involves admission of fault an then forging ahead. Ted did it as well as Vick. They probably could have pointed the finger and blamed some other elements, but instead they looked inward and realized that they were at fault. What a testament. In a world increasingly defined by finger pointing and selfishness, it is refreshing to know that there are still Ted's and Vick's, who are fearlessly leading in the right direction.