Rolando McClain’s story about where we’ve gone wrong
May 15, 2013, 10:39 PM | Updated: 10:45 pm
Rolando McClain says he will retire at the ripe old age of 23. The eighth overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft has been arrested three times in the last 11 months. His life is in turmoil and the peace that passes all understanding eludes him.
Every man is responsible for the decisions that he makes in his life. Every man must pay the toll of consequences for the choices he makes. But this one really bothers me. I’m tired of seeing young men throw their life away. And it’s happening more and more.
The question is, why? It’s a question without an easy answer, impossible to quantify and critique. But theories abound.
Our society teaches young men the real measure of a man can be found in athletic prowess, sexual conquest and financial gain. And if you don’t believe it, watch television. And make no mistake, TV is the matrix of pop culture, the tip of the pop culture spear.
It certainly doesn’t espouse values and virtues, does it?
How many boys dream about being a fireman, police officer, scientist or teacher? And how many boys grow up dreaming about being a professional football, baseball or basketball player?
As C.S. Lewis said, “”We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We remove the organ and demand the function. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and then bid the geldings to be fruitful.”
And it’s only going to get worse unless we start talking to our boys about faith, honor, courage, sacrifice, honesty and love.
