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Vanilla Child
August 14, 2009
I grew up in Tallahassee and met Vincent after he left Jacksonville and attended FAMU in Tallahassee. Vince played on both the football (punter)and baseball teams; worked hard academically and carried himself in an honorable, humble and determined way. (He stayed away from alcohol and other drugs when folks were throwing the stuff at him.)
He always demonstrated compassion and humility towards those close to him. He was such a talented and motivated athlete and had the unique opportunity to choose between a career in baseball or football. (I believe the Washington Redskins were scouting him out as a kicker.) While he paid his dues in the Minors in St. Pete, he always seemed gracious for what he had then and looked forward to whatever his future might bring. He never bragged, never boasted. Never forgot from whence he came, and his mother was one of the kindest, most spiritual women with whom I've ever had the fortune of speaking and she was sooooo proud of her son. The blogs that assert that Vince lacked intelligence or was filled with ego are absurd. I'll always be proud to have known Vince. Great athlete, but mostly, a man of character.
All you bastards that may be talkin' smack about my buddy, Mr. Coleman on your blogs or whatever: back off, he's a good man. Sorry for any of you that met Vince on a bad day but he was a man of stellar character when he was 20 years old and, at that age, you can't just make that stuff up. Oh yeah, and whether it's green grass, turf, pavement or just flat out dirt, the man is a great athlete. And I believe he did the best he could in his circumstances and I'm pretty damn sure he could beat any of you critical bloggers in the sport of your choice.
I was fortunate as a cheerleader and musician (in high school) to grow up in a Southern town where I could watch The Marching 100 FAMU band, the kick-ass FSU Seminole Football Team, (and yeah,Bobby Bowden was STILL there!) and VINCENT MAURICE COLEMAN at FAM. If you're reading this Vince, you've got my mailbox now. I'm in Montana. How You doin"?
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