Given the news that's been going on the past several days regarding Charlie Sheen, I've been thinking a lot about the way he's acted and the things he's said. I've tried to figure out the best way to address it. And then comes along an article from Yahoo Sports on a person who has been written about several times on this blog: Adam "Pacman" Jones. I figured it'd be a great time to address the two.
Charlie Sheen, like "Pacman" several years ago, pretty much is living life with reckless abandon. Sheen is partying it up both inside his home and outside of it, said in interviews some ridiculous things, & pretty much exlemplifying the motto "eat drink & merry". On the outside he's protraying this "I don't care about anything, I'm enjoying my life" persona but deep down there has to be a lot of hurt and pain.
It seems that Sheen is on a crash course and seemingly is okay with it. I thought this was the case with "Pacman" as well but thankfully in Adam Jones' case I was wrong. Jones has stayed out of trouble since he joined up with the Bengals. In the Yahoo article, it talks about the changes he's made in his life including cutting out going to the clubs and spending more time with his fiancee and kids. He's quoted in the article as saying "What am I sorry for? There are a million things. I’m sorry for everything.”
I don't know if at this point Jones has a personal relationship with Jesus. The article does point out that it is a process that Jones is going through and he's not all the way there. But it is encouraging. From the man that gave the quote "It ain't no sin to go to the strip club" to be where he is now is encouraging and I hope that it continues. And I wish the same for Sheen as well. I do hope at some point Sheen can turn things around and begin a relationship with Christ. Then indeed he will be winning.
(The Yahoo article on Jones can be found here)
Showing posts with label pacman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pacman. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Pacman and Second Chances
It seems like only yesterday I was making a similar post like this (it actually was about ten months ago). But it seems like after hearing what I heard yesterday, it's prompted me to write again on the subject of Adam "Pacman" Jones, the now ex-Dallas Cowboys DB. He was cut by the team (who traded for him last offseason, then subsequently got suspended for a couple of games in the middle of the season and is now under allegations involving an incident a few years ago at an Atlanta (yes you can guess) strip club.
Jones and his lawyer were on the CBS NFL pregame show to talk about that and his off the field issues. Now granted, he did say in the piece that he is dealing with alcohol problem, going to AA meetings and seeing a counselor. But when asked by host James Brown about strip clubs, Jones' response was this: "Strip clubs are just like any other club."
Let that sink in for a moment...."Strip clubs are like any other club." Hmmm, I'm no rocket scientist but I'm pretty sure that a strip club is not just like any other club. It kind of says so in the name. What doesn't make it like any other club is the 'strip' part of it. When he said that I laughed (not really the proper response I know but first reaction) and then I just shook my head. Here is a young guy (he's younger than me at 25) who has all the talent in the world. He has been blessed with athletic ability that not too many people have. He has been given chances in a league that is hard to get a job in. And yet, he has done the things that he's done.
It's an object lesson in two ways. One, it should be a reminder that we are no different that Pacman. We are all given talent in some way by God. And we don't use it like we should and squander it because we live for ourselves and not for Him. Yet, in his mercy and compassion, we are able to have a second chance (and third, and fourth) because of Jesus and the work He did on the cross. In having a relationship with Jesus, we can get our act together and use the gifts we've been given properly and to our fullest potential. Two, it's a prime example of showing love and forgiveness to others. Yes, what Pacman has done is wrong and he will have to live with the consequences of those actions, but we are called to forgive one another. I hope that there are people in his life now (if not I hope some will come his way soon) that will love on him and show mercy and forgiveness.
I don't think Pacman is too far gone. If I can be saved, he can be saved. I'm no better than he is. I'm just a sinner saved from myself by the grace of God. I hope that Pacman will turn his life around. We'll see how the next few months and years play out. I'm sure we haven't heard the last of Pacman...
Jones and his lawyer were on the CBS NFL pregame show to talk about that and his off the field issues. Now granted, he did say in the piece that he is dealing with alcohol problem, going to AA meetings and seeing a counselor. But when asked by host James Brown about strip clubs, Jones' response was this: "Strip clubs are just like any other club."
Let that sink in for a moment...."Strip clubs are like any other club." Hmmm, I'm no rocket scientist but I'm pretty sure that a strip club is not just like any other club. It kind of says so in the name. What doesn't make it like any other club is the 'strip' part of it. When he said that I laughed (not really the proper response I know but first reaction) and then I just shook my head. Here is a young guy (he's younger than me at 25) who has all the talent in the world. He has been blessed with athletic ability that not too many people have. He has been given chances in a league that is hard to get a job in. And yet, he has done the things that he's done.
It's an object lesson in two ways. One, it should be a reminder that we are no different that Pacman. We are all given talent in some way by God. And we don't use it like we should and squander it because we live for ourselves and not for Him. Yet, in his mercy and compassion, we are able to have a second chance (and third, and fourth) because of Jesus and the work He did on the cross. In having a relationship with Jesus, we can get our act together and use the gifts we've been given properly and to our fullest potential. Two, it's a prime example of showing love and forgiveness to others. Yes, what Pacman has done is wrong and he will have to live with the consequences of those actions, but we are called to forgive one another. I hope that there are people in his life now (if not I hope some will come his way soon) that will love on him and show mercy and forgiveness.
I don't think Pacman is too far gone. If I can be saved, he can be saved. I'm no better than he is. I'm just a sinner saved from myself by the grace of God. I hope that Pacman will turn his life around. We'll see how the next few months and years play out. I'm sure we haven't heard the last of Pacman...
Thursday, May 1, 2008
News and Notes from NFL Draft and Offseason So Far
It has been an interesting off season so far in the NFL and the teams that I root for. Here's looking at some of them:
Pacman got traded to Dallas. I'm not surprised about this. It was one of those things where it was just going to happen. I do hope that he turns his life around. Whether this will be the trigger for that, I don't know. But I do know that the Titans will now think twice about drafting a player in the future with the same type of issues as Pacman had.
Shaun Alexander got released from the Seahawks. This came as kind of a shock to me in a sense. It shouldn't have given the Hawks have signed Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett but at the same time Alexander was only two years ago considered the Franchise player. I was glad to hear from Alexander's statement to the media no ill will or hard feelings. He kept a very positive attitude and is reflective of his Christian faith, which he is very vocal with in Seattle. I do hope he finds a job somewhere else.
The NFL Draft. With regard to the Titans, my response was: Huh? They drafted guys who for the most part I'd never heard of. Which when I think about it, kind of goes along with their normal routine. I don't necessarily have a problem with that, just as long as these guys develop into quality players. The Seahawks' draft had a few more names on their roster that I know, particularly Owen Schmitt from West Virginia. He will fill some shoes as the replacement of FB Mack Strong but I think he'll be up to the task.
I was disappointed that there were no players drafted from U-Dub (University of Washington). Several players have signed free agent deals including Anthony Russo with the Seahawks and Greyson Gunheim with Oakland. I do hope those guys make it (though it will be hard given the process and all).
Only a few more months until training camp starts. I'm excited.
Pacman got traded to Dallas. I'm not surprised about this. It was one of those things where it was just going to happen. I do hope that he turns his life around. Whether this will be the trigger for that, I don't know. But I do know that the Titans will now think twice about drafting a player in the future with the same type of issues as Pacman had.
Shaun Alexander got released from the Seahawks. This came as kind of a shock to me in a sense. It shouldn't have given the Hawks have signed Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett but at the same time Alexander was only two years ago considered the Franchise player. I was glad to hear from Alexander's statement to the media no ill will or hard feelings. He kept a very positive attitude and is reflective of his Christian faith, which he is very vocal with in Seattle. I do hope he finds a job somewhere else.
The NFL Draft. With regard to the Titans, my response was: Huh? They drafted guys who for the most part I'd never heard of. Which when I think about it, kind of goes along with their normal routine. I don't necessarily have a problem with that, just as long as these guys develop into quality players. The Seahawks' draft had a few more names on their roster that I know, particularly Owen Schmitt from West Virginia. He will fill some shoes as the replacement of FB Mack Strong but I think he'll be up to the task.
I was disappointed that there were no players drafted from U-Dub (University of Washington). Several players have signed free agent deals including Anthony Russo with the Seahawks and Greyson Gunheim with Oakland. I do hope those guys make it (though it will be hard given the process and all).
Only a few more months until training camp starts. I'm excited.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Pacman and the Defintion of Sin
I thought I had heard and seen everything regarding Adam "Pacman" Jones, the currently suspended NFL Defensive Back. And trust me, I've heard a lot. But what was said yesterday out of his own mouth really takes the cake. Pacman was on the the radio in Dallas, TX being interviewed by Hall of Famer and former Dallas Cowboy Michael Irvin on Irvin's radio show. During that interview, Jones talked about his past and how he's living clean and wanting to get reinstated and hopefully get traded to play with the Cowboys.
One thing that really stood out to me was the statement he made referring to a conversation he had with his counselor (he was required to go to a counselor as part of his suspension). Here is the statement: "It ain't no sin to go to the strip club."
Okay, let's think about this one for a moment. "It ain't no sin to go to the strip club." Something just doesn't sound right in that statement. Maybe it's the correlation between no sin and strip club. Then again, my friend Erin, the English professor would comment on the double negative that Pacman used. So maybe in a subtle way that it is a sin to go to the strip club.....no that's probably not what he meant.
Now for a long time, I've defended Pacman. Probably way longer than I should have. I even thought him getting involved with pro wrestling was a good thing for him. But there comes a point when it's just like "Okay you're going to have to learn the hard way." I hate to break it to you Pacman, but going to a strip club, that's a sin. And we've seen the consequences in your life how that's played out because you've went (suspended for a year...maybe more, bodyguard shot and paralyzed, numerous other bad incidents).
I think the old catchphrase "It is what it is" rings true here. Sin is sin. Period. Doesn't matter who you are, what kind of background you have, it's still bad and bad for you. I still hold out hope for Pacman to turn his life around. But after that interview, he still has a long way to go. And there isn't going to be a power pellet that's going to get him out of this mess....
One thing that really stood out to me was the statement he made referring to a conversation he had with his counselor (he was required to go to a counselor as part of his suspension). Here is the statement: "It ain't no sin to go to the strip club."
Okay, let's think about this one for a moment. "It ain't no sin to go to the strip club." Something just doesn't sound right in that statement. Maybe it's the correlation between no sin and strip club. Then again, my friend Erin, the English professor would comment on the double negative that Pacman used. So maybe in a subtle way that it is a sin to go to the strip club.....no that's probably not what he meant.
Now for a long time, I've defended Pacman. Probably way longer than I should have. I even thought him getting involved with pro wrestling was a good thing for him. But there comes a point when it's just like "Okay you're going to have to learn the hard way." I hate to break it to you Pacman, but going to a strip club, that's a sin. And we've seen the consequences in your life how that's played out because you've went (suspended for a year...maybe more, bodyguard shot and paralyzed, numerous other bad incidents).
I think the old catchphrase "It is what it is" rings true here. Sin is sin. Period. Doesn't matter who you are, what kind of background you have, it's still bad and bad for you. I still hold out hope for Pacman to turn his life around. But after that interview, he still has a long way to go. And there isn't going to be a power pellet that's going to get him out of this mess....
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