As he attempts to convince some NFL team to give him a shot at a comeback, Vince Young has admitted that he could have handled some things better in his career. But he says any talk that he lacks the work ethic and leadership qualities necessary to be an NFL quarterback is false.
Young said on ESPN that it frustrates him that people have accused him of laziness, because that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“You could never say that I wasn’t a hard worker, leading the team, doing all these things that they said I’m not doing,” Young said. “And that’s what kills me when I’m out here working extremely hard every summer time and don’t get the opportunity to shine like most guys has had. I just want a lot of people to understand that I have been through a lot in my life, in my 29 years, and I have owned up to it. I’ve made my mistakes. But I just really feel like people can get past that and let me finish my career like I want it to be and be a great asset for a football team.”
The 29-year-old Young has undeniable talent and showed flashes of the ability to be a great quarterback during his time with the Titans. But he also had flashes of immaturity, and he failed to develop as a passer. After the Titans gave up on him, the Eagles kept him around for one year, and the Bills kept him around for one training camp.
If any team is going to give him a chance again, that team is going to have to be convinced that Young really is a hard worker who’s capable of leading an offense. And no matter how many times Young insists that he’s a hard worker and a leader, his reputation around the NFL precedes him.