By J.H. “Inspire” Tucker, Purpose Development Professor
Recently, I found myself pausing to reflect after reading about the situation involving Sherrone Moore, the former head football coach at the University of Michigan. A man who stood as the face of one of the most elite programs in college sports now sits in jail, awaiting formal charges tied to assault and other serious allegations.
This was not a fall from grace due to losing games.
Not because of poor performance.
Not because of a controversial press conference.
It appears his downfall stemmed from inappropriate relationships with a coworker and the mental, emotional, and moral unraveling that followed.
And that is where this reflection begins.
Recently, I found myself pausing to reflect after reading about the situation involving Sherrone Moore, the former head football coach at the University of Michigan. A man who stood as the face of one of the most elite programs in college sports now sits in jail, awaiting formal charges tied to assault and other serious allegations.
This was not a fall from grace due to losing games.
Not because of poor performance.
Not because of a controversial press conference.
It appears his downfall stemmed from inappropriate relationships with a coworker and the mental, emotional, and moral unraveling that followed.
And that is where this reflection begins.
Recently, I found myself pausing to reflect after reading about the situation involving Sherrone Moore, the former head football coach at the University of Michigan. A man who stood as the face of one of the most elite programs in college sports now sits in jail, awaiting formal charges tied to assault and other serious allegations.
This was not a fall from grace due to losing games.
Not because of poor performance.
Not because of a controversial press conference.
It appears his downfall stemmed from inappropriate relationships with a coworker and the mental, emotional, and moral unraveling that followed.
And that is where this reflection begins.
Empathy Without Excuses
I want to be clear: I am empathetic to any man in distress. I understand pressure. I understand poor judgment. I understand racing thoughts, exhaustion, and the internal battles men often fight in silence.
But today, I am not here to discuss crisis management or mental health interventions.
Because sometimes — and this is the uncomfortable truth —
the crisis is one we created and chose to step into.
Grace matters. Compassion matters. But accountability matters just as much.
Purpose Is a Protective Force
This man is married. He has a family. He held one of the most coveted positions in sports. When I examine this situation through the lens of purpose, I cannot find how an affair or any inappropriate relationship aligned with his calling — at least if his calling was to be a great football coach, leader, and legacy builder.
It is often when men drift away from purpose that temptation finds its opening.
When discipline weakens, desire grows louder.
When boundaries fade, darkness feels closer.
No man is perfect. That is not the standard.
But striving for integrity daily matters.
Giving yourself grace for falling short is human.
Aiming toward excellence is how great days — and great lives — are built.
Purpose Is a Protective Force
This man is married. He has a family. He held one of the most coveted positions in sports. When I examine this situation through the lens of purpose, I cannot find how an affair or any inappropriate relationship aligned with his calling — at least if his calling was to be a great football coach, leader, and legacy builder.
It is often when men drift away from purpose that temptation finds its opening.
When discipline weakens, desire grows louder.
When boundaries fade, darkness feels closer.
No man is perfect. That is not the standard.
But striving for integrity daily matters.
Giving yourself grace for falling short is human.
Aiming toward excellence is how great days — and great lives — are built.
The Quiet Crisis I See in Young Men
This reflection is not just about one high-profile coach.
It is about a pattern I see far too often.
I have sat with young men overflowing with potential — men with opportunities, talent, and bright futures — only to hear whispers about situations that have placed them under emotional, academic, or legal duress because of complicated relationships with women.
Some young men cannot focus.
Some cannot look straight.
Some lose clarity simply sensing the presence of women.
Lust has become an obsession. A disease.
It robs men of discipline.
It dulls resilience.
It blinds vision.
Instead of pursuing long-term purpose, many men are lulled into metaphorical sleep by the temporary pleasure of momentary relief.
Scandal Is the Graveyard of Potential
We have seen this story before.
Countless documentaries.
News articles.
Interviews.
Men who “had it all.”
Men who were on their way.
Men who built something meaningful.
Only to watch scandal dismantle years — sometimes decades — of effort.
Some are shamed so deeply that their contributions are nearly erased.
Others have their entire legacy questioned anytime their name is mentioned.
The lesson remains unchanged:
What we do in the dark eventually comes to the light.
Why Throw It All Away?
Building yourself up is hard.
Staying disciplined is hard.
Breaking generational cycles is hard.
Especially as a Black man.
I remember 20 years ago hearing the narratives about how difficult it was for a Black man to become a head coach. And honestly, it still feels unfair — because it is unfair. It is hard to climb in any field, at any time.
Which makes it even more painful to watch men climb so high only to let unchecked urges, which could have been mastered, contaminate their growth and tarnish their legacy.
This is not about shame.
It is about responsibility.
Why Brotherhood Matters
This is exactly why Brotherhood is one of the core pillars of the 6 Circles to Purpose™.
Men were never meant to walk alone.
Isolation breeds weakness.
Accountability breeds strength.
At JustINSPIRE Mentoring, we are committed to creating spaces where brothers can dwell together in unity — spaces rooted in:
- Growth
- Accountability
- Empowerment
- Support
- Discipline
- Purpose
Manhood must be protected.
Discipline must be taught.
Integrity must be practiced.
Not perfectly — but intentionally.
Closing Reflection
Your talent will open doors.
Your discipline will keep them open.
Your integrity will determine your legacy.
Guard your purpose.
Protect your discipline.
Hold your manhood sacred.
Because everything you are building is too valuable to lose to something temporary.
