Legendary Ex-College QB Vince Young Fired by His Alma Mater
Texas Longhorns legend Vince Young appears to have been fired from his position working in the school’s development office.
A March 1 termination letter, obtained by The Associated Press, said Young was let go “for not demonstrating significant and sustained improvement in the performance of (his) job responsibilities and failing to maintain standards of conduct suitable and acceptable to the university.”
Former Texas star Vince Young fired from part-time job at UT for being absent https://t.co/vEwjbHJIvh
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) March 9, 2019
Young was working a part-time job as a development officer in the school’s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, according to Sports Illustrated. The role paid a salary of $50,000, SI reported. As development officer, Young’s role was to build relationships with university donors.
The AP said the school had given Young warnings about his job performance since 2017. The letter claimed Young would often not come into work or communicate well with his supervisors, the AP reported.
Young was arrested on Feb. 4 for alleged drunken driving. It was his second drunken-driving arrest in a little over three years, with the first coming in January 2016.
The termination letter said Young’s boss, Patrick Patterson, texted Young after learning about the second arrest, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
“Young was informed that he was required to report any arrest to his UT supervisor,” the American-Statesman reported. “The two men spoke on Feb. 6, and Young told Patterson of his intent to resign. On Feb. 7, Young ‘did not respond to my (your supervisors) repeated attempts to communicate regarding your resignation or return to work,’ the letter states.”
“I attempted to contact you via phone, text and email,” the letter added.
Young was reportedly told not to do any work on behalf of the program until further notice, the American-Statesman reported.
Young offered no comment to the AP.
However, he did post on Twitter about the “sad world that we are living in with social media.”
Yes sir!! please don’t believe what u have read or seen about me I’m am not the person they portray me as. Love big guy… https://t.co/WaOvivPnP5
— Vince Young (@VinceYoung10) March 9, 2019
Sad world that we are living in with social media. I’m glad that I have a blessed relationship with God and he continues to bless me through all the good and the bad..I will continue to pray for people that live with hatred in there heart…??????? pic.twitter.com/GRgI3xmMoR
— Vince Young (@VinceYoung10) March 10, 2019
Young is one of the most accomplished athletes in school history. He led the Longhorns to their first national championship in 35 years in 2005, when Texas upset USC in the Rose Bowl.
The Trojans, who came into that game on a 34-game winning streak, featured two Heisman Trophy winners: Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush (though Bush later forfeited his 2005 trophy).
Young had the game of his life with 467 total yards, including 267 yards passing and 200 yards rushing. He also scored three touchdowns in leading Texas to the 41-38 win.
The Longhorns finished 13-0 and were named national champions.
Young will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this December.
Vince Young doing Vince Young things. (2005) pic.twitter.com/YSBnC4JHVO
— Texas Platinum (@TexPlatinum) March 9, 2019
Young was drafted third overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2006 NFL draft. He was fairly successful in his first two seasons, posting winning records both years and making the playoffs in 2007.
But then Young injured his knee in 2008 and didn’t play for most of the season. Kerry Collins assumed the starting role and kept it to start the 2009 season.
After an 0-6 start, Young replaced Collins, went 8-2 as the starter and played well enough to earn Pro Bowl honors.
But more injuries and battles with head coach Jeff Fisher seemed to derail his career, and he didn’t play in an NFL game after the 2011 season.
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