NFL Players and Others: Shattered, Scattered, But Re-Gathered

On May 16, 2009, the phrase "power and control" came to mind.  First, I researched the issue as it relates to domestic abuse.  I know of a man who was once strong in the NFL, and now he is subject to control by a woman who either "takes" or manages his money.

Her legal justification is that he has had psychological problems or he is an alcoholic.  Some believe that he may never get better.

I am puzzled, and I see that this argument may be a way to maintain control of his money.

Here are my examples which are counter to an argument that people cannot be restored.

I know of a gentleman who was a serious alcoholic.  He lost everything.  I saw him years ago, smelling like liquor, and looking a bit "disturbed." 

I remembered his days of glory as a community leader.  I approached him and told him how much I respected his past contributions to society.  I let him know that I was pulling for him.  He gazed into my eyes.  At that moment, I do not believe he recognized me, but I do know that he heard me.

He has changed.  He is sober.  He has a new life.

Now back to the former NFL player.  He is sober and clean.  He is getting better.

He wants control and power over his life, again.  The problem:  the legal guardian does not want to release control.  So the saga continues.

The good news is that there are people in his sociometric who are discreetly watching and who are pulling for his full recovery from mental turmoil, and alcoholism.

I have seen several great athletes change.  Two examples are professional boxers.

Mike Tyson appears to have changed.  I saw him in a trailer for a movie on Saturday, May 16, 2009.  It looks like he is on his way up.  Sustaining and maintaining the upward movement, socially and psychologically, is the challenge.

George Foreman had some struggles and challenging experiences.  He made a turnaround.  His life is so much better.  He, too, was seen in a trailer for a movie on Ali's boxing career. George Foreman is another example of a man who changed and gained power and control over his own affairs and life.

Now the article on tribalism and sports discusses the struggles between the "haves" and the "have nots."  The struggle between you and "the other."

Jon Stonger, the writer, sees that we transfer our aggression against our personal opponents to sports.  If as we watch NFL football, or boxing, we live out the need for violence in our personal lives, why, then is there still so much violence in America? 

Sometimes, the violence is internal, against ourselves.  The internal battle is more devastating, sometimes, than our battles with "the other."

Crime and violence are what shattered and scattered the lives of the men referred to as "men who finally changed."

It's almost like a scenario where the men who inflicted violence on others in their sport, somehow had a form of violence boomerang and hit them in their personal lives, leaving them in a pit of confusion, for awhile.

They are the Humpty Dumptys who were put back together again.

The research question:  Why do some rebound, and others do not?

Can you answer the research question?

I am continuing to study the issue.  Join me.