Junie's Trainer Speaks Out

by Zak Woods on Oct 8, 2009 10:21 AM EDT Comment 5 comments

MMA Madness got in contact with Junie Browning's trainer Shawn Tompkins to get more perspective on Browning's overdose,

"The pills he tried to overdose with were given to him by his therapist, and he was seeking out help," Tompkins said. "Yesterday (Monday) was a bad day for him. He would have rathered left us all and deal with the demons."

For those that watched Junie on The Ultimate Fighter it was clear that he was dealing with some underlying issues and being trapped in a house with nothing to do other than drink was probably not the best thing for his health. Still Browning's stint on the show appeared to be closer to a cast member of The Real World rather than a fighter looking to break into the UFC.

Despite the negativity surrounding Junie Tompkins still believes in him,

"He really is a great kid. I wouldn’t want somebody who was a drug abuser and an insane person living with me and my family," Tompkins said. "This is something that is a deep rooted issue, and it caught up to him."

There are two issues afoot here. As a MMA fan, Junie's presence within the UFC was the equivalent of a sports franchise signing a player with a troubled past. Something that elicits a fans scorn and disgust.

But as a human being, Junie's difficulties deserve our sympathies and support.

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do not want

"I want an equal amount of blueberries in each muffin." -Ace Rothstein

by Greenbeard on Oct 8, 2009 11:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I mean seriously,

"I want an equal amount of blueberries in each muffin." -Ace Rothstein

by Greenbeard on Oct 8, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha

watchkalibrun.com

by Zak Woods on Oct 8, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

watchkalibrun.com

by Zak Woods on Oct 8, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I feel for the kid, but as Efrain said during that season, lots of people had a hard time as a kid [in reference to his parents and him fleeing Mexico and having to work sub-human jobs for less than minimum wage, etc]. Not everyone turns out to be psychotic. While I acknowledge that there are some things we can’t prevent, like mental breakdowns and anxiety and stuff like that, we CAN control our actions. Like deciding to overdose, or threatening to kill and rape nurses and their families.

About what Shawn Tompkins says… after a while you cannot keep calling someone a good person. There is a line that people cross. Like Batman said “It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.” What Junie does defines who he is. And right now, he isn’t a very good person.

Regardless I think he needs help and deserves out pity, not our scorn.

by Excelsior! on Oct 9, 2009 4:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs