Rising Sunset: The Relationship Between Tebow and Pacman

As I'm listening to Don't Believe the Hype by Public Enemy.....

....I had all I could stand after listening to Fox's Thom Brennaman once again provide enough praise of Florida Gators' QB Tim Tebow during the BCS National Championship game that I'm sure Thom was about to be struck down for breaking the First Commandment.  (Break open a Bible sometime if you need further reference, but I digress). 

So I decided to switch to NFL Network and oh what did I see, but yet another story on the scourge of the strip club, Adam "Pacman" Jones, being unceremoniously dumped by the Dallas Cowboys come next month.

Maybe it was the overload of hype/scorn that was readily in my psyche, but I couldn't help but to wonder: why should I be surprised? Isn't this the way we become as a society, where we are so quick to praise or demean at any given opportunity? And do we do it too soon?

Before you ask, "Ryder, what's your point?" Let's look at the facts....

....for starters, ESPN reported that Pacman was at an Atlanta night club in June 2007 and allegedly told three men that they were going to be part of a shooting spree.  As a result, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told Pacman he would be let go next month. If only Jones would do the same with a number of Cowboys, but that's another story for another day.

After the release an enraged Pacman told reporters that the story was beyond ridiculous and plans to sue ESPN.  Wonder how well that will go over on NFL Countdown? According to John Clayton, Jones was simply tired of the distractions and felt it was best to cut ties.

However, take a second and ask if society played a part in Pacman being sent home to face Inky, Blinky, and Clyde.  As part of the media I say yes, because although I do believe ESPN in this case (even though there hasn't been a formal investigation by Fulton County Police), one could ask if this is another example of how we as a society have an effect on a person's livelihood by the power of labeling an individual.

Don't get me wrong, Pacman has shown that he cannot be trusted without someone there to hold him accountable, or without someone to keep him out of nightclubs.  For once I'd like someone to tell this guy to just make it a Blockbuster night every now and then.

However, we also have seen during the course of his oft-maligned career that he is just one example of how we treat the talented in society. Obviously someone in West Virginia, Tennessee, and Dallas thought he was talented enough to return punts and intercept QB passes to give him a job. During that time someone in those organizations had seen something that had to ring to the likes of, "this guy's not quite all there, so we better keep him in check." 

By the time he began going through rehab sessions and suspensions, it was too late.  Usually in life we look at an individual for what he or she can do for us, and we ignore the possible signs that could harm not only himself but others as well.

The funny part is that very rarely was the story of how Pacman gave underprivileged Atlanta youth free tickets to a TNA wrestling event in October 2007 during his year-long suspension from the NFL.  I guess that isn't nearly as sexy as his "Making it Rain" philosophy, but maybe even by that time it was too late.  We turned a blind eye and said, "just so as long as he can take a punt to the house, it's fine."

Now, the tale of Pacman may be a sad, tragic one that goes the way of Mike Tyson and Michael Vick.  Too hyped, too soon.  Let's take a step back sometimes and look at the whole picture.

Now what does this have to do with Tebow you ask?  Well, put it this way: have you ever tried to hook up your friend with someone you know, and the first thing you describe about them is that "they have a nice personality." Nine times out of 10, your friend is looking to become a missionary before the first date.

Tebow is viewed in the eyes of many NFL scouts as "the guy/girl with the nice personality."  They have already labeled him a product of coach Urban Meyer's spread system. That the jump pass he uses often for TDs will not work in the NFL.

Once again, much like Pacman, we are too quick to label someone.  I believe that Tebow is the kind of person that could transcend the NFL.  How many times have we heard that one before right? Think about it how many great players have went undrafted (2008 Defensive Player of the Year, Pittsburgh's James Harrison) or drafted really low (Patriots QB Tom Brady in the sixth round) because of labeling?

If I'm a scout, I look at Tebow beyond the "what he's done as a missionary."  I know that's not what they really look for, but you know what I mean. In society we have based our views so much on looks that we don't really look to the heart. (I figured I give some guys hope for Valentine's day with that one.)

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, the bottom line is that for all of those who look to Tebow as "just a nice guy" will miss out on the fact that he has everything needed to be an extremely successful NFL QB.  Unlike guys like projected top pick Matthew Stafford, Tebow has shown real heart and stepped up when it matters most.  Yes, I'm a Georgia Bulldog fan who's a bit bitter that the Gators whipped them this year.

If I'm the Detroit Lions, I seriously consider getting him in the second round.  Why not the first, you say?  No way I'd want my franchise QB getting drilled under Ford Field without someone to protect him! 

We have to be careful to not run judgments on people too soon, intangibles go a long way to determining our own success, more so than labeling.  Believe it folks, believe it!