NFL’s Troy Vincent Brings Message Of Leadership, Accountability To NU
Early on in his presentation Tuesday night at Niagara University, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent asked attendees to put their phones away. His intention was to create a safe space for dialogue to take place on a topic that he’s dedicated much of his adult life advocating for: ending domestic violence.
Truth be told, the physical punishment that Vincent endured during a standout 15-year NFL playing career is miniscule when compared to the emotional toll he has experienced off the field.
Vincent, during his 90-minute presentation, recounted how, at age 8, he would hide in a closet with his younger brother while his mother was being beaten by a boyfriend. His memories of those instances of domestic violence remain crystal clear, as did his message for the more than 220 students and community members packed into the Clet Hall Dining Commons: There is no such thing as an innocent bystander.
The problem, Vincent said, is that people don’t know how to find their voice when confronted with an opportunity to prevent or report a domestic violence incident.
“It starts with education,” he said. “There’s power in students coming together on issues like domestic violence.”
With emotion in his voice, Vincent called domestic violence a “man’s issue,” citing data that illustrates that most perpetrators of that type of aggressive behavior are men. Vincent also noted that men are twice as likely to abuse women if they have previously witnessed domestic violence.
“In my 20-plus years of doing this type of work, the room is always full of women,” said Vincent, a deeply religious man who is highly respected by business, sports, political and community leaders. “Tonight, right here at Niagara University, may be the most men I’ve ever seen in a room when I’ve spoken on this topic.”