Woody Paige's Gift In The Wake of Kenny McKinley's Death!

Columnist Woody Paige wrote the following words in this article yesterday in the Denver Post:

"Why would a smart, personable, resolute, "happy-go-lucky" Kenny McKinley — with a college education, a young son, a $385,000 contract and a bright future in football and life — commit suicide Sept. 20, 2010?"

It turns out that Paige had suicidal thoughts 8 years ago. Lucky for Paige, he had friends who saw his desperation and saved him. McKinley, apparently had made comments about taking his life, but no one ever imagined that he would actually do it. He obviously had demons that he was fighting that he couldn't shake. I hope that his death will not be in vain, and that anyone who is having suicidal thoughts will seek help . McKinley will be memorialized on Monday in Austell, GA, hopefully he has the peace now that he couldn't find in life.

Jesse Jr.'s Girl!

I guess Eddie Long has taken up all of our time with the allegations against him, that we ignored the end of a once promising political career for Jesse Jackson Jr.. Jesse was exposed as having a social acquaintance in Giovana Huidobro, who Jesse's buddy Raghu Nayak told Feds that he personally paid to have flown from Washington to Chicago on at least two occasions on Jackson's behalf. Jackson has slanted it as a private matter that has been handled by him and his wife, however, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell takes it a little deeper, stating that Jackson has positioned himself as the pro-black candidate who has taken on a blond "social acquaintance" in this article.

Truthfully, Barack Obama's ascendance ended Jesse Jackson Jr.'s rising political career. The Jackson name simply carried too much baggage and Obama was a fresh face with a fresh message. This scandal will simply be a footnote in what could've been an even more promising and effective political career.

At Least Kevin Kolb Got His Money!

Yesterday Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid stated that Michael Vick is now the starting quarterback for the team replacing Kevin Kolb, who sat out Sunday's game because of a concussion. The Eagles traded "5" or Donovan McNabb in the offseason to the Washington Redskins because they felt that Kolb was ready to take over the reigns of the team. Michael Vick obviously had other ideas, because he looks better than the old version of himself and as Reid stated has been playing out of his mind.

Don't feel too sorry for Kolb because he did get a signing bonus of $10.7 million to sit on the bench and back up Vick. Vick is starting his second act and has done what I doubted he could do, which was get back in shape and work towards becoming a real quarterback. He's finally putting his immense talent to work on the football field, and may indeed have a successful comeback.

Sex Allegations Against Eddie Long!

Anthony Flagg, 20 and Maurice Robinson, 21 have brought sexual coercion charges against Bishop Eddie Long, leader of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in suburban Atlanta. New Birth is a mega church with an estimated membership of more than 25,000. The young men allege that Long coerced them into inappropriate relations with lavish gifts and even the use of his Bentley. The young men are represented by B.J. Bernstein who assisted Genarlow Wilson in the appeal of his aggravated child molestation conviction.

It should be stated that Robinson was arrested in June for burglarizing the church and has confessed. Bernstein states that the act was in retaliation after discovering that Long has been having relations with other "spiritual sons" within the church. Long, through a spokesman has denied the charges, but one has to wonder why these young men would expose themselves to this scrutiny if there wasn't some truth in the charges. The whole story is sordid and disgusting and Long owes it to his followers to speak the truth, whatever that is in his mind. The Atlanta Journal Constitution provides additional information on this story.

R.I.P. Kenny McKinley!

Second year Denver Broncos football player Kenny McKinley was found dead yesterday in his Denver area home of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. People will speculate why a 23 year-old NFL player would apparently take his own life, but I really pray for his family and young son. McKinley, was from suburban Atlanta and a stand out at South Cobb High School in Austell, GA. He was also the all-time leading receiver at the University of South Carolina and a 5th round draft pick of the Broncos in 2009. Injuries had derailed his progression at the pro level, but by all accounts he had a promising future.

It's difficult to speak about a 23 year-old in the past tense who had the world at his feet. This is a devastating and senseless tragedy that simply has no answers.

A.J.'s Story!

This is an inspiring story that I found in the Detroit Free Press focusing on A.J. McLittle. A.J. has risen from the streets of Detroit and is now a sophomore at the University of Eastern Michigan. He comes from a family history of males who just don't make it, but he's trying to end the cycle. He was admitted to college under a special program and his first year performance was closely monitored, but he made it through to the second year, and he's determined to graduate. We all have to hope that A.J. reaches all of his goals.