Some observations after reading this story on Randy Moss’ public apology this week. His apology wasn’t really an apology for his behavior… just that his getting into trouble brought embarrassment to the team and disappointed the fans. He shows no understanding of what his motives might have been, or what he could have done to avoid the confrontation.
But he’s not totally clueless. His refusal to apologize to the traffic control woman indicates that he’s somewhat aware that this was a showdown between him and her. Days later, he still seems to believe that his manly pride is at stake. And the fact that the reporter described him at the press conference as “…nervous, vulnerable and humble…” might be a positive sign, too.
This ESPN piece says that while growing up “…He spent little time with his father, Randy Pratt, and was raised by his mother…” Not uncommon for young black males. In Minneapolis this week, a speaker at the African American Men Project conference said, “… one of the biggest issues affecting our youth, especially our males, isn’t racism. It’s not even economics, per se. It’s the disease called fatherlessness.” And since Randy is the father of two, he’s probably passing along the pattern.
It’s easy to dis someone as talented and rich as Moss who behaves this way. But he’s just an immature kid who never had a dad around who could show him what being a real man is about. And I know more than a little of what that’s like.