There is something that continues to bother me, and that is how engaged people are with projects in foreign countries. I am not saying there isn’t a need. However, I am more concerned with all the people living in poverty, crime and resignation in neighborhoods throughout our cities right here in America.

At one point in my life I spent a lot of time in those cities and neighborhoods with a primarily black or ethnic population. Why was I there? I was looking for good basketball players so where else would I be? Let’s not leave out smaller towns. They have the same neighborhoods.

I understand the National Football League has committed 100 million dollars to those neighborhoods. Certainly a grand gesture. Is anyone going to be accountable for how the money is spent and who actually participates in the benefits? Is there follow-up and any long-term effects? Is the neighborhood transformed, or have the participants escaped and left the neighborhood to fall back into its old ways?

In my coaching days I was proud of how many of my players got out of poor situations and went on to good jobs and have thriving families. It is not enough. When there is a problem it will only be solved by the people who have the problem.

I am not saying they won’t need assistance. Of course they will. But, it takes being there. Day-to-day attention from people who came from there and return home to initiate lasting change. It takes people who are being committed citizens, i.e., having pride in how life is lived. Is this a pipe dream or a real possibility?

What I am proposing is already happening in Milwaukee and Portland. The prize model is Atlanta. That 100 million would go along way if invested in these projects in other cities. If frittered away in short-term projects and snatch-and-grab programs, the results will not be lasting and, on the whole, failed programs.

I am proud of what I was able to do. My point of view during that time was insufficient to be a solution for the greater problems. I know a few people were saved when the Titanic went down. They got off in time. However, the ship still went down as did most of the passengers.

Coach Todd’s latest book titled, “What’s Missing?” will be available online in the next couple of months. We’ll let you know as soon as it’s available!