The Tryin Times is dedicated to overcoming adversity and showing leadership in the eyes of temptation. When I started this blog it was the height of the doldrums of 2020, when entertainment and news were blurring into a draconian twilight zone of confusion and lockdown. I wanted to step up during what was clearly the most difficult time of any of our lives and show people that the human spirit would overcome and leaders will rise in the face of adversity, no matter how big or small. I am so proud of how much traction I’ve personally picked up from doing these little blogs of triumph and reflection, and I recommend anyone start a blog or podcast for their own personal journey.
Today’s quick tale is about 2 former TCU quarterbacks, and why football players, and all athletes, deserve more love and attention at the end of their career.
Casey Pachall was set to take over for the Horned Frogs of Texas Christian University the year following the most successful year in school history. The Red Rocket Andy Dalton had just led the team to the Rose Bowl and taken his career into the NFL. Coming from a strict household, Pachall found freedom in a new world away from his state trooper father.
Read More About Pachall’s Comeup- TCU360- Creating a QB
The lavish lifestyle of a texas college QB isn’t for everyone, but Pachall’s 6’5″ frame makes for one hell of a party animal by the sounds of it. His tattoos and drip ON the field demonstrated a character that clearly could work off the field as well. His big arm and big personality showed signs of big league potential as he made many believers out of Horned Frogs fans as a leader.
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| during the Virginia Cavaliers vs. the TCU Horned Frogs NCAA college football game at Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Saturday, September 22, 2012. (Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News) |
He seemed to create a new version of himself, including some of his best parts that got him to where he wanted to always be, but now also including some parts he never knew of, some parts that weren’t going to help him continue his path to the NFL, and some parts that were going to change him forever.
Only a few years later, and there could have even been some visitation overlap, another young QB would walk onto TCU campus and make a splash on the field.
Travone Boykin entered the scene as a dual threat qb with a bit more running ability than Pachall, but no less ability to spin the rock. Texas football is different, and so was Boykin. Week after week Boykin dazzled SportsCenter with erratic but poetic plays that always seemed to put the Frogs in a position to win.
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| TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, in Ames, Iowa. AP |
Despite an electric career at the college level he too unfortunately would run into temptations and mistakes that would ruin his career, prevent him from thriving in the NFL, and eventually put his life behind bars.
So why? Why do guys with so much glitz, so much glam, who work so hard to accomplish so much end up in trouble with the law?
Pachall would be publicly scrutinized for his alleged drug experimentation in February of 2012 before the season, and ultimately be suspended by TCU following a DWI in October of that year.
In 2015, Boykin would find himself in the middle of a bar squabble, and end up assaulting a police officer 2 days before kickoff of the 2015 Alamo Bowl versus Oregon. Fast forward through a stint as Russell Wilsons backup in Seattle, a few more minor arrests, and you’ll find Boykin nowadays serving a 3 year sentence for assaulting his former girlfriend.
This morning I came across an article about Pachall, and how his and Boykin’s coach Gary Patterson helped him save his life. It was truly satisfying to see a guy turn his life around and overcome a “failed” football career. In a few google searches, I found Boykin’s story. What a stark difference, one can only hope Trevone can find the light inside of him and turn it around as well. We pray today that he finds safety in his heart and mind.
One guy wasn’t good enough to make the NFL, but was able to balance his life out, and is now married with a job. One guy was good enough to make it, wasn’t able to balance, and is now in jail. Both guys had run ins with substance abuse along the way. Both guys undoubtedly lived a life of a QB, on the field and off it. You wonder which is harder when you look at stories like this.
A kid is 18, 19, 20, 21 years old, with the keys to a castle he has never been in. You constantly strive to compete. You have guys trying to kill you every Saturday afternoon. You have influences and temptations provided daily with a full serving of Public Relations and responsibilities. And then, just like that, it’s over.
No more fighting with the defense. No more rah rah. No more fringe benefits. No more place to cope. No more brotherhood. No more healhy excersise. No more competition. No more drive. No more identity.
It’s mental health awareness month, so how about we take a bit of time to think about our own mental health journey, the mental health journey of the people we look up to, and ESPECIALLY those who are looked down upon for their mental health.
Football players, athletes everywhere always face a difficult decision when it’s time to hang it up. They say “Athletes Die Twice.” I am a big believer in that. I aim to make a big part of my life helping former athletes bridge that gap between being a player, and professional, when being a professional player isn’t in the cards. I believe there are millions of former competitors out there who need help coping with a life devoid from fighting with the defense, the rah rah, the fun, the brotherhood (sisterhood), the fitness, the competition, the drive to want to be better.
We are all in this together, so help me today to help someone be inspired tomorrow to be the best person, player, professional they can be!
Now, In honor of recognition of both of these two young men’s BEST SELVES, here’s the fruits of their labor at it’s height. Hopefully they both find balance and peace in their worlds off the field for life, and to you as well!
