The Beatles said it best, though Blackstreet might've made it sound better (don't argue with me on this one): Money can't buy love.
This universal truth was communicated clearly in an Instagram post by Cordell Broadus. Broadus, the son of rapper Snoop Dogg who signed with UCLA but then quit football and never reported to camp, said he only played the sport so that his father would love him.
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The younger Broadus came up in his father's famous Snoop Youth Football League. The 6-3, 186-pounder became one of the nation's top prep wide receivers and transferred to powerhouse Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) for his senior season. MTV chronicled his life in the reality series "Snoop & Son: A Dad's Dream," including his commitment to UCLA despite Snoop being a die-hard USC fan.
The title of the show, especially in light of Broadus' post, reveals what's terribly sad in this situation. Snoop became an internationally known rapper, but it was always his dream to be a pro athlete. Cordell's life was nothing more than a vehicle for his father to live out his childhood dreams, and no amount of privilege can make that right.
Throughout the show, Snoop is shown rendering his brand of tough love. It's what he prefers. Maybe it's all he knows.
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But like any good coach will tell you, every player is different, and you can't lead them all the same way.
Snoop is loud and loquacious. It's what has made him one of the dopest to ever pick up a mic. Cordell is more quiet. He still might need a kick in the behind every now and again, but that probably has to be followed up with a hug around the neck. It's not being soft. It's being sincere. He needed to know his dad loved him for who he was, his son, and not what he was, a four-star Under Armour All-American with offers from the likes of Florida State, LSU and Notre Dame.
The son took the high road in his post, but we all know who the onus is on here. Cordell should've been hearing those words all along.
Hopefully, Tha DoggFather has learned a lesson, and, hopefully, fathers everywhere with sons who are running gassers and going through Oklahoma drills every day will make sure those kids aren't just doing that for their approval.