VY's mom speaks up

Vince Young's mom has spoken up for her son and the criticism he is taking for his bizarre behavior Monday night and how she feels he has been treated in Nashville. Felicia Young used words like "persecuted" and "ridiculed" and "talked about and not being treated very well" to describe her son's exprerience here in Tennessee. About how negative things have been for her son and how he's not sure he even wants to play anymore.

Sunday was the first time he has really been booed by the LP Field faithful, and after watching his performance it was deserved. As I have said before, VY hasn't had much media scrutiny here in Nashville, all they have asked of him is to answer questions after games, the same thing every other QB in the league is asked to do. He has been cheered when he has made unbelievable plays and has been credited when the team has won. He was on the cover of Madden 08, has an endorsement deal with Reebok for his own line of cleats, the Electrify. Hell, the VY Electrify line consists of three styles of football cleats: The VY Electrify SD3, M3 and AT cleats, as well as the VY Preseason Trainer. To support the launch of the VY Electrify, Reebok and Dick's Sporting Goods are teaming up on a full-fledged national marketing campaign that incorporates retail, direct mail and advertising.

Young didn't seem like he wanted to quit playing or that he was being persecuted or ridiculed when he was launching his shoe line.

"I'm happy to be working with Reebok and Dick's Sporting Goods to launch my new cleat. I know it takes a lot of faith in an athlete for a company to create a signature product and I will do my best to make Reebok and Dick's Sporting Goods proud," said Vince Young. "As I say in the commercial; 'I play in the greatest football league in the world. Experience, ability, and intuition got me here and I'm better equipped now than ever.' This cleat is awesome and I can't wait to wear it when it counts - in September."

The guy has pressure on him, more than on most fo us, he has to do his job and do it well in front of 70,000 people, some who want him to succeed and some who want him to fail. But that's what he signed on for, when he takes the money for the job he also has to take on the responsibility that goes with that job. The pressures and responsibilites of the job might not be fair but to millions of people, the compensation to do that job isn't fair either.

The official police report about the incident:

"On 09/08/2008 at approximately 2030 hours SWAT officers responded to #1 Titans Way to support Central Precinct officers with a check on the welfare call. SWAT officers were tasked with checking various locations utilizing unmarked vehicles in an effort to locate a subject for the purpose of checking his welfare. At approximately 2300 hours we were advised that the subject in question had made contact with Jeff Fisher and agreed to meet him at the Titans practice facility located on Great Circle Road in the Metro Center area. We were tasked with responding to that location and provide security for the arranged meeting. At approximately 2335 hours the subject in question (Vince Young) arrived at the Titans Practice facility. Crisis Negotiators made the initial contact with the subject as he sat in his car. Shortly after the initial contact the subject exited his vehicle to continue the dialog with the crisis negotiators. SWAT officers approached Mr. Young and checked his person for weapons. Mr. Young agreed to continue talking with officers inside the practice facility in a conference room. SWAT officers stood by outside of the conference room while Mr. Young talked with officers and a psychologist. After meeting with the psychologist, Mr. Young left the practice facility by himself in his vehicle. SWAT officers were then relieved of any further duties."

From the Tennessean:

"Felicia Young said her son has grown weary of all the negativity he faces as an NFL star. On Monday, he indicated to those around him he didn’t want to play football any more.“Vince has gone through a whole lot as a young person,’’ Felicia Young said. “And I think he has done pretty well up to this point. But it is hard, all he is going through right now. He’s hurting inside and out.“But he will be fine if people are prayerful and help my baby boy out. He is a young man. He just needs a lot of love and support.

Then there’s the question about whether Young is interested in returning, something he mentioned to those who were with him on Monday.“What would you think, if you were tired of being ridiculed and persecuted and talked about and not being treated very well, what would you do? What kind of decision would you make?’’ Felicia Young asked. “He may not want to deal with it (all), but you have to get to that point before you make that decision first. “But we’re not talking about football right now. We’re talking about what would make him happy, and that is the most important thing.“… You don’t want people to be hurting like he is. But it is a growing-up process, and he will eventually come out like gold no matter what. But Vince is going to be OK. We are just going to try and give him some space.”