I know a lot of great parents who have led their kids down the proper path only to have the kid veer off the road.

 

Yep. Plenty of lousy parents who have great kids, and there are plenty of great parents whose kids turn out lousy. Yes parent's are instrumental and important to a child's development. But at some point, kids have to take some responsibility to just do the right thing. Some kids are just knuckleheads

I know a lot of great parents who have led their kids down the proper path only to have the kid veer off the road.

 

This is a case of silver spoon rather than tough love

Has he went to court yet?

This is a case of silver spoon rather than tough love

 

But there are plenty of kids from backgrounds like Zeke that do turn out ok. Heck, if I had the means that Zeke's parents had, you better believe my kids would have experienced more of the good life. A silver spoon doesn't always result in bad kids. We talk so much about personal responsibility, but when a kid screws up and doesn't learn his lesson and keeps screwing up, we don't blame the kid, we blame the parents. I'm not saying Zeke didn't have it a little easier than many, if not most of us. And sure he was probably a little spoiled, and got bailed out of a few situations that others less fortunate wouldn't have. But if I had the means to help get my kid out of trouble, I would absolutely do it, and hope he learned his lesson. And despite what many people say, I think most people would do the same. Because most parents will do whatever they can to help their kids succeed. But at some point, this is all on Zeke.

I know a lot of great parents who have led their kids down the proper path only to have the kid veer off the road.

 

All you can do as a parent is give them the best tools to make decisions that you can. Teach them the proper way to use those tools, then it's up to the kid to follow the instructions given or not. Some kids, for whatever reason, have to go the hard road.

But there are plenty of kids from backgrounds like Zeke that do turn out ok. Heck, if I had the means that Zeke's parents had, you better believe my kids would have experienced more of the good life. A silver spoon doesn't always result in bad kids. We talk so much about personal responsibility, but when a kid screws up and doesn't learn his lesson and keeps screwing up, we don't blame the kid, we blame the parents. I'm not saying Zeke didn't have it a little easier than many, if not most of us. And sure he was probably a little spoiled, and got bailed out of a few situations that others less fortunate wouldn't have. But if I had the means to help get my kid out of trouble, I would absolutely do it, and hope he learned his lesson. And despite what many people say, I think most people would do the same. Because most parents will do whatever they can to help their kids succeed. But at some point, this is all on Zeke.

 

Parents bailing out kids, I get it, believe me...Zeke being bailed out the first time and even the second time, I get it. Him getting arrested this time and being bailed out again....no.

 

Yes, the arrest of Zeke is squarely on Zeke, the bailing out of Zeke for at least the 3rd time, on the parents. He's an adult and his actions are on him...at some point he has to pull himself up by his bootstraps or it's just more of the same that's gone on for years.

I see a lot of comments about his upbringing being part of the problem. Can we get more info on that? I just know of him from his playing days at Dixie. People say they knew he was trouble back to his youth days...fill us out of the loop people in

I see a lot of comments about his upbringing being part of the problem. Can we get more info on that? I just know of him from his playing days at Dixie. People say they knew he was trouble back to his youth days...fill us out of the loop people in

 

This is what I can decipher. A sense of entitlement along with never having to face consequences for bad decisions.

I think the perception is that his Dad glorified him as a youth which in turn gave him a sense of entitlement. His actions on the football field, basketball court and just in daily life reflected a lot of how everyone perceived him. I don't have facts t ok back up how things went behind closed doors at his home but the demeanor I witnessed on the athletic field, court led me to believe he would have issues down the road. I'm a pretty observant person and it appears my observations were correct I really hope he can change and get some counseling. This kid may be constantly trying to live ip t9 expectations set forth on him that are simply unrealistic. Does he feel pressure to have to play in the NFL? Does he know there will always be a bailout system and zero consequences from his family? These are not excuses for his behavior but things that likely warrant his need for counseling so he can possibly turn his life around. Just my 2 cents.

He's too white for that...

Or slow....

I don't think it is affluenza. I think it is/was that he was not held accountable at home, was permitted to do what he wanted when he wanted. Zeke has never had a fear of consequences because it seems there wasn't any.

 

 

Here is an example:

My son played summer baseball with Zeke one season, I think it was 8th grade, maybe. After one game when the team didn't really play well, they are in their huddle and the coaches are letting them know they need to be focused and to give more effort. Really nothing that every player on any team has ever heard before. Well, Mark(Zeke's dad) starts to talk after, about 10 seconds Zeke shouts out "that's enough dad, wrap it up we got to go," then starts walking away.

I was in shock and couldn't believe it....worse was nothing was said to him by his dad, and the team just kind of all walked away.

 

I told my kid, if he ever did something like that to me I would knock him out(talking about if my son said something like that). I then told my kid if he ever talked to a coach/teacher/adult, I knock him out for that too! And then when we get home I would really bust his butt!!

 

If someone has no fear, it is really hard for that person to follow rules. If going jail doesn't scare him, then what is going to deter him....nothing. My brother has zero fear of anything, as far as punishment and consequences go, he has lost his kids, wife, and freedom for years at a time but it doesn't matter. No Fear!

This man has had troubles since high school. Rumor back then was that a lot of his bad behavior was covered up because he was a "good kid with a promising career."

 

Sounds like the kid has run out of second, third, or fourth chances.

We will never know if taking a hard line on him earlier in life would have made a difference or not. Some people can be saved from themselves and some can't.

I truly hope that he can get his life together, but I do think it is finally time for him to accept responsibility and face his consequences like a man. Jail might be the best way to get him clean, wake him up, and maybe turn him around.

If anyone knew the family personally, then they would know that Zeke's parents are at fault slightly less than Zeke himself. If you grow up all of your life with no responsibility, no discipline, entitled, not held accountable, things swept under the rug because you are a good football player, etc. then it is the parents fault too. Zeke never learned any life lessons as an adolescent, he only learned that his football skills will get him out of any trouble he may get in.