The soccer panorama is suffering from tales like that of Joe Mixon.
The tip end result to a lot of these tales, although, is not like that of Mixon, the 25-year-old Cincinnati operating again who’ll be one of the necessary gamers for the Bengals in opposition to the Rams after they play Tremendous Bowl 2022 Sunday at Sofi Stadium.
Until you’re not from the Cincinnati space and have been following Mixon’s 5 largely profitable NFL seasons, you might know him for one thing he’d fairly you not know him for: Striking a woman in the face in an altercation at a sandwich store in 2014.
About to start out a school profession at Oklahoma that might hopefully result in an NFL profession, Mixon screwed up so badly, the pure response was to imagine he’d ruined the promising life he had forward of him.
When there’s incriminating video evidence that you just’ve hit a lady with sufficient drive that she was knocked unconscious, suffered 4 fractured bones in her face and wanted reconstructive surgical procedure, it’s troublesome to return again from that — no matter what number of yards you’re able to operating for and what number of touchdowns you’re able to producing.
When there’s the sort of damning video proof that Mixon confronted, it turns into troublesome to vary the narrative to your life.
Contemplate what occurred that very same 12 months to then-Ravens operating again Ray Rice, who’d already established himself as one of the explosive gamers within the NFL when he was caught on video brutally beating his then-fiancée in an elevator.
That incident, after which Rice was publicly honest and contrite for his egregious actions, ended his NFL profession. He by no means got here again from it, by no means performed one other NFL down regardless of being within the prime of his profession. Sadly, that horrific incident is what Rice is most remembered for at this time.
Mixon, conversely, modified his narrative and has by no means regarded again.
He’s change into a poster little one of types for the worth of second probabilities. Because the Bengals put together to play of their first Tremendous Bowl since 1989, Mixon has change into one of many workforce leaders. Think about that.
That 2014 incident, which came about a day earlier than his 18th birthday, looks as if a lifetime in the past for Mixon.
He was suspended for the whole 2014 season by Oklahoma and reinstated in 2015. In 2016, video of the assault was launched and it regarded so dangerous that then-Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops stated, upon reflection, the punishment ought to have been dismissal from faculty.
Fortunately for the Bengals and for Mixon, who settled with the woman financially and met together with her personally to apologize and make amends, he was not banished, as a result of what he’s completed along with his life since has been admirable.
Too usually, athletes who make the sort of horrible mistake Mixon did by no means get second probabilities. And too usually, some who do get second probabilities screw up once more.
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Mixon, on a Zoom name with reporters Monday, credited a robust assist system inside the Bengals with serving to him when he obtained into the NFL.
“Once I got here right here, since Day 1, they advised me, ‘We’re right here to let me know that it doesn’t matter what, I all the time had a shoulder to lean on,’ ’’ Mixon stated. “For these guys to try this after I got here right here it meant lots. I used to be simply joyful to be part of one thing particular when it comes to being within the NFL, and now that I’m actually enjoying on the very best stage and in one of the best recreation within the historical past of sports activities, I really feel so blessed and lucky to be on this state of affairs.’’
Mixon completed the common season with the third-most dashing yards within the NFL (1,205), the fourth-most dashing touchdowns (13) on the third-most carries (292).
In 5 seasons with the Bengals, he’s rushed for 4,564 yards on 1,104 carries with 33 dashing touchdowns and he’s additionally caught 171 passes for 1,322 yards and eight touchdowns.
Now, he and the Bengals are going for the gold.
“All people’s right here to do one factor clearly and that’s to win a championship,’’ Mixon stated. “I’m so blessed and grateful to be right here for this chance. For me, being right here 5 years, I actually really feel like I’m residing in a film proper now, residing a dream I had as a child. I wish to carry on including to script.’’
He’s doing that as a veteran chief, saying, “I attempt to do no matter I can to be a vocal chief and lead by instance to indicate them the way in which.’’
Check out that 2014 video and hearken to Mixon now.
Who’d have identified?
The facility of second probabilities can generally be an irresistible drive.
