Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ó Titans quarterback Vince Young insists he never wavered in his commitment to football.
All that concern over his mental state? He says he was upset as he dealt with his first serious injury, and he didnít realize he had to tell his mother where he was going anymore.
Then the media went overboard.
Young spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since Titans coach Jeff Fisher called police for help in locating him Monday night because of concerns over his emotional well-being. His mother, Felicia Young, also told a local newspaper that the quarterback had indicated he didnít want to play football anymore because of all the negativity he faced.
iI was never depressed,î Young said.
He took questions from reporters for 16 minutes after watching his teammates practice. His message? Donít question his commitment.
iFootball, this is my life. This is my dream. All I did all these years growing up to get to this point and never had an injury like this before in my life,î he said. iItís a hard time because Iím a competitor, and I definitely want to be out on the football field with my teammates.î
Questions about his mental state and attitude started Sunday when the third-year quarterback was booed heavily by fans upset at his second interception, and he appeared as if he didnít want to return to the game. Fisher pulled his headset off and talked to him before Young joined the rest of the offense.
Four plays later, Young sprained his left medial collateral ligament when Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith crashed into his left knee.
Young didnít go to the Titansí headquarters Monday, and Fisher went to Youngís house. The Titans also sent a psychologist and a team official to talk to Young. He was described as being emotionally down. Young said that lasted half a day and he was upset over his two interceptions.
Fisher told Young to go take the MRI exam needed to determine the extent of the damage to his knee. Young didnít go. But with so many people at his house, Young said, he needed space to think.
iLet the cloud go away for a minute, and thatís what I did,î Young said. iI left. My mom seen me; she thought I wasnít in my right mind. I was watching the game, watching Aaron Rodgers do his things … eating some hot wings.î