Loss of Emotional Control

Eyes for Lies reader, Karon, sent this interesting video to me about a basketball coach at Holy Family University who knocked down a player and called it an “accident”.  Lucky for the player, the incident was videotaped. I think most people will see this was not an accident, and the coach is trying to save his skin. He knows his job is at risk and rightfully so.

The guy knocked down, Matt Kravchuk, is upset because he doesn’t believe the the coach’s apology,  and he is right to not accept it, if you ask me.  I think most people will agree.  Furthermore, he wants the school to take action against the coach as well.

The apology by the coach, John O’Connor, is interesting.  He keeps repeating that what happened was “an accident” and that he didn’t “intend” to do what he did.  John has convinced himself of this, though it is clearly not true. He is in absolutely denial he has a problem.  Sure he didn’t plan this, but John’s problem is that he had an emotional outburst where he momentarily lost control and lashed out and in that moment, he had a choice and he chose to act inappropriately. He wasn’t able to stop himself from reacting physically when he was angered. That’s scary–especially from someone who should be a role model to our children. 

All people make mistakes, but to not own up to what truly happened, I don’t think he should be forgiven.  I would be much more likely to accept an apology from someone who said, “Listen, I lost my cool. It was wrong. I’m so sorry. It won’t happen again.”  Humility goes a long way…

Instead he wants us to believe he making his team better players.  Give me a break!