The Concussion Shed

The Concussion Shed

The Texas Tech Red Raiders under head coach Mike Leach were a high-scoring machine that went to ten straight bowl games. All that Coach Leach and his staff had worked for started to unravel when wide receiver Adam James, son of former ESPN analyst Craig James, was isolated on two separate occasions after sustaining a mild concussion. After it was clear that James was suffering from a concussion, he was sent with a graduate assistant to a shed that kept all of the blocking dummies and other equipment necessary for practice. He was isolated there, in that dark place, while the rest of his team practiced.

Clearly this didn’t sit well with the receiver, nor his father, who engaged the administration about how his son was being treated, and Coach Leach was eventually dismissed after an investigation into the allegations. In the end, Leach’s isolation of James led to his downfall.^a

Isolating ourselves can lead to our own downfall as well. Proverbs 18:1 states, “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire” (ESV). When you pull back from relationships, community, and accountability, it is because you are forsaking wise counsel, motivated by your own selfish ways. When you go to a dark place over and over again, there are going to be consequences. Combat your unfriendly isolation by living in the light. Stay in community with those who will challenge you to be the man you were created to be.

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire.

Proverbs 18:1, ESV