A Note From Arian Foster's Mom RE:Lofton

#1
VolzRChamps

VolzRChamps

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#1
I hope she doesn't mind me reposting this here, but I think it is something that should be pinned at the top of every Tennessee Message Board. Awesome insight.

After reading the Chris Lofton story, I am moved to post this. That young man is a straight up stud in my book. I am awed at his strength and courage in the face of this very serious health issue. God will continue to bless him in his life.

Let this be a lesson to all of us. No matter what we THINK these players are going through, we NEVER TRULY KNOW what is going on in their lives. They're no different than the rest of us. I've seen posters on here ask for prayers, ask for advice and ask for help with personal situations. And I've seen the generosity and grace of Vol fans everywhere. So I ask that before you criticize and judge a player about his performance on the field or court that you stop and consider that these are HUMAN BEINGS who are struggling through life like the rest of us. They have family members who are in crisis, they have friends who feel hopeless, they themselves struggle with juggling all their responsibilities just like the rest of us. They have girlfriend issues, parent and sibling issues too. They may feel down and depressed at times and they may (as we've seen) make poor decisions and do stupid things.

I'm asking for a bit of caution before we start throwing OUR OWN TEAM into the fire from now on. Be a fan, be passionate, but please be reasonable. Please know that each player, whether football or basketball or track or baseball, has a life, a family separate from UT sports and so if a guy or girl is down, not producing as we expect....that maybe, just MAYBE they're having real life grown up issues to deal with on top of everything else.

Common courtesy.....compassion for our fellow Vols.....and love for all that is orange. It starts here, with each of us. Please.
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#3
#3
Amen to what Fostermom said! and thanks for posting it here. I sometimes think I couldn't be more impressed with Chris Lofton, and then he surprises/surpasses my expectations again! I also sometimes read some of the most moronic, smart-aleck, stupid stuff on message boards and wonder why I waste my time, then I read something like this and am am drawn back in. I really do wish there was more civility, not only between fan bases, but esp. within our own fan base. Thanks again.
 
#4
#4
Thanks for posting that. It's easy to forget those things since all we see is them playing on TV in their uniform. Being a UT athlete just represents such a small part in their lives.
 
#7
#7
Thanks for the post...it sure puts things in perspective. You never know what someone is going through!
 
#8
#8
A valid insight, but I've got news for all of us -- it isn't changing. When a person puts themselves out there to be an athlete at a major school and to try to advance to the next level if they can, the reality is that people are going to criticize and speculate to the nth degree.

I'm not saying its good. I'm not saying its right. But like it or not, it comes with the territory.
 
#9
#9
lawgator1 said:
A valid insight, but I've got news for all of us -- it isn't changing. When a person puts themselves out there to be an athlete at a major school and to try to advance to the next level if they can, the reality is that people are going to criticize and speculate to the nth degree.

I'm not saying its good. I'm not saying its right. But like it or not, it comes with the territory.
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True.

I wonder what the reaction would be if it were publicized that Barry Bonds has been quietly battling cancer. Would he become a hero again?
 
#10
#10
Classy post by a classy lady. Good luck with your endeavors C-Lo
 
#12
#12
Jaytrain5 said:
True.

I wonder what the reaction would be if it were publicized that Barry Bonds has been quietly battling cancer. Would he become a hero again?
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I can see an argument that a college player is still a kid and that Bonds is a man. But the reality is that even if there is an actual difference, even morally speaking, its going to be lost on college football and basketball fans when their "games" are worth billions every year to the universities, nationwide.

You play football or basketball at a major university, you just have to be prepared for the scrutiny, fair or unfair.
 
#13
#13
Jaytrain5 said:
True.

I wonder what the reaction would be if it were publicized that Barry Bonds has been quietly battling cancer. Would he become a hero again?
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Probably not. It's hard for people to look past your deeds when you are such an ass.
 
#15
#15
great post, fostermom. I often wonder how we, the common man,would handle that "microscope" in our daily lives. I, personally, am thankful that I am not constantly scrutinized for everything I do wrong-especially to the degree we criticize athletes. Sometimes we need to pray for these guys instead of "throwing the 1st stone".
Law makes a great point though. Sadly, that type of scrutiny comes with the territory and definitely contributes to the fact that sports is big business. Without a lot of negative publicity, sometimes there wouldn't be any. For every great story like Lofton's, there's five "player X got arrested,kicked off the team, etc".......and we keep reading 'em.
 
#17
#17
Great post from fostermom but how often has this many people on this board agreed with LG. :question:
 
#18
#18
"No matter what we THINK these players are going through, we NEVER TRULY KNOW what is going on in their lives. "



That works both ways though. Sometimes we think these guys deserve more credit than they really do.
 
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