Pay Better Attention to Who's Around You

This goes without saying but Michael Vick has been one of the hot topics in the locker room and weight room these days.

First of all, I don't believe it is anyone's place to point fingers. It is our place to show compassion and give compassion. Everyone needs to be lifted up at some point in their lives and this is Michael's time. I do think we can all learn lessons from that situation.

This applies to everyone, not just athletes - we all need to pay close attention to who we surround ourselves with. Speaking as a professional athlete, many times we cannot see the forest through the trees. We're all that way at some point. When I first came into the League I felt like Superman. I didn't need the extra work. In many cases your eyes can open very slowly but then again, they can open pretty fast, too. Mine opened slowly but when they did open it was all downhill from there. We've all fallen into it. We've all been guilty of falling short but some of us have grown up behind the camera, not in front of it so the damage is not as public.

Everybody has a core group around them because no one can do everything by themselves. We all need to scrutinize and comb through the people around us. Pressure comes in everyone's life. If you don't live a life of principles when the pressure does come self-preservation kicks in automatically. There is no middle ground. When it rains, it rains on everybody - the just and the unjust. It is how you deal with it when it does rain that truly matters. That's why it is so important to have a strong inner core around you. We do not need yes men, we need to have people around us who will hold us accountable in our words and our actions. My definition of friendship is being able to say "no." Being able to be upset at someone for twenty-three hours and then being over it when you see them next. Some friends stay closer than a natural brother or sister. They help us stay on the right path.

Whenever you go into an electronics store to buy an iPhone or when they send you two free iPhones in the mail you get the manual with it. If you don't read the manual and just start punching buttons you learn by trial and error and ultimately you realize that you do need to go back and read the manual. If you read the manual at the beginning, it takes ten minutes and you know how to use the phone. There is a manual for people too, the Bible. Read a chapter of Proverbs. It's your manual. It will steer you away from a lot of evils and teach you how to treat others and respect leadership. It's your manual for living on this planet. Living a life of principles allows you to give opportunity to others and it always gives back.

Isaac Bruce

PS - This is my MVP season
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45 Comments On: "Pay Better Attention to Who's Around You"

 
1. You are absolutely right about Vick.

2. Excellent post

3. Don't let Torry Holt hear that MVP talk.

4. Visit svpstyle.com

Your eloquent, positive outlook is quite refreshing in professional sports.

What he said.

Agreed. I think you'll make a great analyst after your playing days are over, whenever that is, and if you choose to do it. You are the voice of reason in a league full of outspoken, cocky players. I'm not saying everyone's cocky, but the ones they show on TV dominate the discussions. Marvin Harrison and Isaac Bruce have probably got less media attention combined than T.O and both are much more talented. You already gained my respect as a player, but now you definitely have my respect as a man. Good luck this year Isaac!

The NFL (heck, pro sports period) need more people like you Issac. I fear you're a dieing breed. The Rams are a pretty lucky team in that they aren't full of criminals or media-lovers who are "me first" guys. I can't help but think you being on the team has helped some guys like Warner, Holt, Faulk, Bulger and now Jackson be team players.

Another great post Ike.
Keep 'em coming.

Isaac, you the man! I've loved your play for years, so glad your on the network now! About Vick, thank you for stating what you did, so many people are naive and just hating on the guy, who I feel horribly for. Thanks!

Thanks for speaking on this Vick situation. I support the guy in the sense that, after he pays his time, he should get a second chance.

It's tough because this situation has sort of polarized the nation. I just wish it never happened. But you have a good point in that, this will help many other lives.

Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful posts, Ike. It's great to get such an eloquent insider's view on NFL topics. As for the MVP season -- Go, go go! I'll be wearing my 80 jersey for every game.

Have a good season MVP!

I'd like to echo the other responses and say that your posting is really amazing and your thoughts are quite well delivered.
Quote of the year: "There is a manual for people too, the Bible."

I like you

Isaac - Thanks for keeping it real.

Most people do not know who the right people are to trust and in some cases how to trust.

To understand who you should trust becomes more evident when you think beyond yourself and more about those around - then it really is more then just about yourself. When it is appreciated and/or reciprocated in kind then you know other people are not looking out only for themselves.

I learned this in basic and it is still with me today.

That's the reason you've had a long and productive career. Your an amazing athlete and very smart individual. Good luck this year.


Isaac, this is an amazing post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I'll be in the Black Hole tomorrow with my Raiders stuff on, but I'll still be cheering for you...QUIETLY...because I really don't want to get beat up by obese, half-naked men covered in silver body paint...ick.

haha! whats black and white and red all over? YOU! at a raiders game rooting for the other team!! ;)

I don't get it

Probably the most intelligent take on the Vick situation I've heard - from an athlete or in the press period. Another post that's enjoyable to read. Keep it up!

Yes, this post was so enjoyable that I thoroughly read through every comment.

Very good post! I always love reading anything the Rev. Ike does!
And an awesome tie-in with the manual and Bible. Couldn't of said it better.
God Bless, and keep on posting!

Awesome...well said.

Vick needs compassion? He needs to do some serious time, and in that process, receive a severe attitude adjustment. I can't think of anyone outside of the middle east that makes me want to vomit more than Mike Vick....
His lack of contrition is mind-boggling, smug, arrogant and downright nauseating.

Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you and your position to reflect Him.

This is a very positive stance on the whole M.V. situation. I said something similar but not quite as eloquent to my Business Org class and I was told "M.V. is and should be held to a higher standard because of who he is". We all mess up and all fall by the wayside. Who am I to judge M.V. or anyone else?

Isaac, I want to thank you for being the class act that you are. You are right, you need to watch who you accociate with. Too many times athletes use the excuse

I dont think vick got to where he is based on who he was hanging around. were they the right crowd that had his back? No obviously not, but that being said you got to be one twisted person to bash dogs heads into the ground until there dead, hanging dogs and then if they dont die electricute them. Vick should thank god everynight he will prolly only spend a year in jail and not 20 years. and I dont have any compassion for someone who would torture anyone or anything to that point!! thats just sick and twisted. and its sure as hell not a dam sport (marbury=ignorant) the end.

Isaac Bruce is the total package. Great athlete, great person, humble servant.
Michael Vick has a streak in him that most of us don't have. I hope so at least. I hope most of us would not BE ABLE to brutally kill a weaker creature for such a horrible crime as not wanting to fight another dog almost to the death. How people treat those they CAN abuse and disrespect, people or animals, shows a lot about a person's inner character.
I love that Isaac is giving us pure advice about not judging, being compassionate, etc. but Michael Vick was wrong and should suffer significantly for what he did. And like another poster said earlier....then be given a second chance.
Isaac...go get that MVP. And help Bulger get over his

Reverend, you're a model athelte. Thanks for sticking around STL your whole career. Can't wait to see you crowned MVP this year. Its great to have our athlete blogs, we finally get to hear from you.

If you don't know what you stand for you'll fall for anything. Well said Isaac! As I once told a client of mine who had not paid me,

Mr. Bruce-I admire and respect you so much but disagree with you about Michael Vick.He has no
conscience or compassion for any living creature and that has nothing to do with

Wow...this is excellently written with a ton of great points about life!

few people realize how great Ike was before and after the

Oh ya...........blah...blah...blah................yadaa .. yadda...yadda! Innocent until proven guilty and choose your friends carefully? We all know that. Vick , and his bro Marcus, have long hisrories of law violations. He couldn't LIE his way out any more. Boarding planes with weed; infecting women with Herpes,etc. Vick will get what he deserves. Several months in Club FED. He should never take another snap in the NFL. Remember: Dog = man's best friend!

Keep doing your thing, You become like the people you surround yourseld with

Your comments are poignant. Life is full of choices and the ability to steer away from bad choices can determine success and failure or even life or death. I wish the NFL would take Issac's comments and present this to each new player entering the league.

Excellent article/post.

Also, I'm in agreement with you on your MVP season. All things are possible to those that believe. The best is yet to come ! The IS your MVP season !

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. - Eph. 3:20

TB
illini_ram

I am in agreement with this being your MVP season !!

Instead of paying attention to whos around you, I think its more important to examine oneself and the choices they are making. I believe no one can go wrong by examining themselves and comparing what their doing with the word of God. One might ask his or herself the following question. According to the Bible, would God find this action, attitude, behavior acceptable? If anything is in question or a gray area, it would be better not to do it then to do it. - I have found this to be sooooo relevant in my life! Unfortunately, it has taken a few painful experiences to figure out that God's words and commands are the best ideals I can adhere to.
As far as compassion, I believe in compassion.I also believe in justice. If man is doing something wrong, unethical, etc, then he needs to be accountable and take the punishment.

Bruuuuce is right on! I thank God for helping me and I try to surround myself with good friends. Tthanks Issac for being a true role model by directing people to the Bible.

What he did was wrong yes but it wasnt as bad as what other players in the NFL are doing and you didnt here one-tenth the crap over it. Players fronting drugs or using them maybe a story one week or so then done maybe a small suspension and back to using them. What about the problems Pacman jones and Chris Henry got into. People ended up shot and everything else oh well back to playing ball just sit out a few games and it was on the news what maybe a week or two. The player who hit and run someone in dallas on the news like maybe three nights then over. The only reason this was such a big deal was because it was Micheal Vick. Any other player and after a week or two and the story would have ended and like i said while what he did was wrong other players have done far worse yet they get away with it why is that?

After reading the comments to this post, I'm seeing that finding the balance in this whole ordeal is what is needed for Vick. Yes, he did something illegal and must "render to Caesar". However, in rendering to Caesar, if it will lead to pure repentance, this can only be a positive step for him. Mr. Bruce, many people don't believe in God, grace and mercy, repentance and forgiveness. I do understand some of the harsh comments; it is tough for humans to forgive. As for "those who are spiritual", they will be involved in the real work of prayer and intercession on Vick's behalf. In this life, we all "mess up" several times during our life span (I know; I mess up alot. Ask my wife) and are in need of repentance and forgiveness. Your words speak volumes about your character and spirituality. It is refreshing for me to hear a believer give an opinion based on his real life convictions.

Nobody really knows what happened. All most of us know about is what the media has reported and as most of us know that cannot always be trusted as truth. I hope he plays quarterback again in the NFL in the future and maybe the sport will be more interesting, spontaneous and exciting.

Reading your post has given me a new look on my current situation. I know God and am very intimate with His word; however, it is always edifying to hear from someone who lives on the same planet as I do. Keep doing what your doing, and though your beginnings are small, your latter end shall greatly increase!!!!
Freehearted, Memphis, TN.

iSSAC,
i have tried everything i know, to try and meet you. (no, hehe, not a stalker)...i am just in total respect of you. I lthink your a great athelete, but, even a better person. I just recently turned 50 and all my girlfriends and I got together. they asked me what i wanted....(they brought a picture of you, and sat it at my table ) heeheheh your morals, values, and your actions on and off the field are awesome.
i worked part time for the rams, a few years back, and it was so much fun being right next to the
locker room, and seeing you guys.
Before i leave this world. Can i please meet you?? my friends, family, would flip out, as i have told them,sooner or later, i will meet you. i am soooooooooo bummed, your gone. I cant wait for the
season to start, but, this year will be different without you.
i will be watching for your comments. Your an awesme person. ..

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